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A review by ecn
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
If you like aimless and unlikeable characters, this one’s for you.
The MC was insufferable in all the wrong ways. I was hoping for growth but it felt like it was always entirely about how she grows for others - nothing within herself.
Yet, I was still drawn to her story so I could see what happens
The story felt real, but was also really disappointing. No characters made me care about them - I felt bad for Miriam, Rachel was simultaneously selfish and people pleasing, and all other characters were miserable side characters. Maybe the story wasn’t for me? Maybe I wanted more from everyone and it was too much? Maybe it was just too real of a story to feel satisfied.
The story is about sexuality, desire, and longing but it feels more accurate to say it’s a view of how hard it is to be gentle and caring for ourselves and others when it comes to our wanting. How can all parties remain unharmed when desperately grasping for things you want, deserve, and seemingly can’t have?
The MC was insufferable in all the wrong ways. I was hoping for growth but it felt like it was always entirely about how she grows for others - nothing within herself.
Yet, I was still drawn to her story so I could see what happens
The story felt real, but was also really disappointing. No characters made me care about them - I felt bad for Miriam, Rachel was simultaneously selfish and people pleasing, and all other characters were miserable side characters. Maybe the story wasn’t for me? Maybe I wanted more from everyone and it was too much? Maybe it was just too real of a story to feel satisfied.
The story is about sexuality, desire, and longing but it feels more accurate to say it’s a view of how hard it is to be gentle and caring for ourselves and others when it comes to our wanting. How can all parties remain unharmed when desperately grasping for things you want, deserve, and seemingly can’t have?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Grief, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol