A review by astarions_bhaal_babe
Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton

4.0

“There are things it is better for a person not to know. The day and the manner of your own death, that’s one. What people say behind your back. The names somebody you love has called somebody else. There’s a reason people are able to function, in this world, as social creatures, and a good part of that reason is that there are a lot of questions intelligent people don’t ask.

My readers heart says yes but my anxiety says pls never again.



Holy toxic friendship, Batman!
This was insane!
Let me start by saying I've had this book for quite some time, now, and I've always been a bit heistant to start it, because -even though I'm not one who let's outisde influence decide for myself- I wasn't really convinced by its low ratings, and because it sort of always blurred in the background when I was checking my tbr to decide what book to pick up next.
For some reason, I could never take this off my to-read list, and now I know it was maybe a sign from the universe that I'd totally missed out on a sensational and unforgiving novel.

Social Creature is the story of a frienship that is everything but a frienship. I don't wanna spoil anything, because it's a book so raw and direct you have to savor every second of it and let it hit you right in the most uncomfortable spot of your soul.
Louise is almost thirty, single, introverted, working multiple jobs that pay only enough to pay rent, frustrated about her life, about her dreams that will never become reality. Until one day, she meets Lavinia. Lavinia is younger, richer, prettier, wilder, free in ways Louise could never be. Louise soon starts hanging out with her and her friends; Lavinia lets her wear her clothes, she takes her to the most exclusive events and the savage parties, getting a taste of a raving and luxurious life she's never believed she could have. But that's the problem with getting something you never thought you could have, right? Once you've had a taste, you can't help but want more. No matter what you have to do to make it yours.

Part The Talended Mr Ripley and part [b:Dangerous Girls|16074758|Dangerous Girls|Abigail Haas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1356513050l/16074758._SY75_.jpg|21869436], with a touch of [b:You|36430011|You (You, #1)|Caroline Kepnes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549463282l/36430011._SY75_.jpg|39913517], Social Creature is the paper epitome of a trigger warning sign that comes with a harsh prose and a plot that tends to go as negatively as it can extend.
Every relationship in this book is so unhealthy you can't help but feel grateful you're not part of any of them, and everyone is plain horrible, in the realistic, abrasive way a gruesome trainwreck can be. Lavinia is probably the worst of them, and this also makes her my favorite. She's spoiled, imamture, the poster child for everything dark academia themed, a snake disguised as an angel in vintage clothes and designer bags. Louise, on the other hand, I've loved for the opposite reasons. Her passiveness was so repressed at the beginning of the novel and her frienship with Lavinia, that I caught myself rooting for her to show some teeth, even when she started overcoming the boudnaries of decency and . Incredible what a morally ambiguos character can do to you.
Not that in this book there are many people whose morality isn't questionable (I'm looking at you, stupid Rex), but you get the gist.
New York's wealthy scene glows in all its opulence under Burton's writing, which is a gift for those who don't mind a bit of darkness from time to time, and a salve for a soul that's been strained by a much gentler, pompous style.

I know some people would say the ending seems rushed, but I feel like it's perfectly in tune with the rest of the book.
I'm not giving this book 5 stars because as much as I liked it, it also made me so anxious I had to take a shower and get my boyfriend to make me a chamomile tea once I was down reading it, and because I felt like some parts needed more explaining.
Overall, though, it was a feral ride and a total trip I'm not willing to take anytime soon.
And trust me when I say that's a compliment.




book #33

◾this hashtag is something I self-indulgently created for fun when I decided to thin out my immense tbr list as a new years resolution starting from books I added on GR back in 2017/2018/2019, and since I can't seem to do anything quietly and I'm well known for being an overachiever, I had to go and turn it into an official thing. Feel free to check out the #PenguinOnATBRMission shelf if you don't mind keeping up with this insanely over-hyped adventure I got myself into. Take it as a chance to rediscover some books from a few years ago that might have accidentally flown under your radar, or to simply share with another fellow reader your very own reading experience. Happy reading and stay penguin-y!◾

To Be Continued...