Scan barcode
A review by starryybella
Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Yes, I caved. I read one of the most unrecommended books out there. The curiosity was killing me to read it.
And honestly? I don't regret reading it, as stomach-knotting as it was.
As the trigger warnings can tell you, it's one of the most vulgar books I've ever read. It's definitely up there with "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis.
I feel like it's safe to compare the narrator/author to Patrick Bateman in some aspects, speaking of "American Psycho", except the narrator is much more in touch with the world around him and doesn't have an urge to *physically* hurt. But he does not have any true emotions like love or compassion for others, as well as struggling with alcoholism. He doesn't have much remorse for his actions either, as he clearly states in the first page.
The book, as people have probably heard, is most famous for its first lines: "I like hurting girls. Emotionally, not physically. I've never hit a girl in my life. Well, once. But that was a mistake. I'll tell you about it later. The thing is, I got off on it. I really enjoyed it." (1)
And news flash: I'm one of those readers who gets either pulled in immediately by the first page or just puts off reading the book until later if it doesn't captivate me or pique interest immediately.
I didn't enjoy the book because of its content. I'd be insane if I did, but not to say you are if you did enjoy the content (kind of…).
The sole reason I enjoyed it was because I'm someone who likes psychoanalyzing characters, even if the character is meant to be horrible. That's what brings fun back into the book for me and makes me be able to stand it. Otherwise, I'd probably be in the category of the faint-hearted that would hate this book because of how awful the content of it is.
It's written well, once you get beyond the fact he's a rotten human being. I also just sat through the sex scenes and read them to get past them.
It is satisfying to get to the ending, although I wish he got more of what he deserved. I did have to read it twice to fully understand it but it left me with more questions - hence, my currently reading the sequel.
It rambles on at times and goes on tangents - it sometimes be difficult to understand or to keep track of the plot. However, insight into his mental state of mind made this book enjoyable and I wouldn't take out anything, except for a couple of churning depictions of hurting women or sex scenes I would have rather not read.
Do not eat if you're reading this book. It churned my stomach at some points and I definitely believe this book is not for everyone.
And honestly? I don't regret reading it, as stomach-knotting as it was.
As the trigger warnings can tell you, it's one of the most vulgar books I've ever read. It's definitely up there with "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis.
I feel like it's safe to compare the narrator/author to Patrick Bateman in some aspects, speaking of "American Psycho", except the narrator is much more in touch with the world around him and doesn't have an urge to *physically* hurt. But he does not have any true emotions like love or compassion for others, as well as struggling with alcoholism. He doesn't have much remorse for his actions either, as he clearly states in the first page.
The book, as people have probably heard, is most famous for its first lines: "I like hurting girls. Emotionally, not physically. I've never hit a girl in my life. Well, once. But that was a mistake. I'll tell you about it later. The thing is, I got off on it. I really enjoyed it." (1)
And news flash: I'm one of those readers who gets either pulled in immediately by the first page or just puts off reading the book until later if it doesn't captivate me or pique interest immediately.
I didn't enjoy the book because of its content. I'd be insane if I did, but not to say you are if you did enjoy the content (kind of…).
The sole reason I enjoyed it was because I'm someone who likes psychoanalyzing characters, even if the character is meant to be horrible. That's what brings fun back into the book for me and makes me be able to stand it. Otherwise, I'd probably be in the category of the faint-hearted that would hate this book because of how awful the content of it is.
It's written well, once you get beyond the fact he's a rotten human being. I also just sat through the sex scenes and read them to get past them.
It is satisfying to get to the ending, although I wish he got more of what he deserved. I did have to read it twice to fully understand it but it left me with more questions - hence, my currently reading the sequel.
It rambles on at times and goes on tangents - it sometimes be difficult to understand or to keep track of the plot. However, insight into his mental state of mind made this book enjoyable and I wouldn't take out anything, except for a couple of churning depictions of hurting women or sex scenes I would have rather not read.
Do not eat if you're reading this book. It churned my stomach at some points and I definitely believe this book is not for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Pedophilia