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A review by sierra_color
My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent
1.0
This book isn’t worth it.
I know it is a critical masterpiece, but good lord. No. No this isn’t how you write about violence in books, especially violence towards women.
The writing glorifies it, and uses words a survivor/ victim of violence would NEVER use to describe Wha has happened to them. I know people who have gone through this shit, and seeing it cast in a literary light and glorified and beautified is disgusting. When I saw the author’s picture, I KNEW I couldn’t read it. He’s sort of smug, when you look at him, and he seems like the kind of guy who takes one philosophy class and the next thing you know, he’s giving you unsolicited advice.
But I’m not reviewing this to roast the author. I’m reviewing this because you can clearly see this guy didn’t talk to women and survivors of abuse, just through the writing. Turtle is so distant (I get that is supposed to be the point) but he only skims the surface of her character! Which doesn’t make sense because she IS THE MAIN CHARACTER!!! I know I only read 135 pages in, but honestly, I’ve read books that make me sympathetic towards a character in ten pages, and give characters more characterization in half of that. So please, spare me.
I’m so tired of books like these. The violence is literary and not real. These books are so common, especially with men. It’s just another case of “We the animals” and “I have the right to destroy myself” but this time.. with a CHILD!! And a girl!! For that matter! This book lacks emotion, I have no reason to want to cheer for Turtle, because she’s given no character. I was actually excited to read this one, because it sounded interesting! I thought that this would be a book of empowerment.. but no. It’s not.
It’s just another case of an man writing about violence because it’s supposed to be literary. This book has no substance, and I utterly hate it. Look, if you want a book that talks about violence, but isn’t purely torture porn but with descriptions of nature, go for Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao. Please, that book actually has a fucking purpose instead of this. This is literally what I hate male authors (and sometimes women authors, but mostly male from my experience)
In conclusion, this book is supposed to make you think it’s a masterpiece. It’s not. It’s literally not. All things good, it is not. It’s fancy junk. Oh? And do u have to mention we have the classic “guy who reads classical literature and is super smart and philosophical” trope in here?
If that doesn’t turn you off and make you turn away, then I don’t know what will. The only reason I gave this book two stars is because of the writing, it’s nice, and the descriptions can really suck you in, but goodness no. This isn’t how you write a book about violence. When I read this book I was reminded of Watership Down. Which even though I enjoy that book, the tone of said book isn’t right for the plot of this one. Just.. if you’re triggered by abuse, especially sexual abuse, don’t read this. There’s nothing to it, it’s just.. beautified violence. It’s not worth it.
I know it is a critical masterpiece, but good lord. No. No this isn’t how you write about violence in books, especially violence towards women.
The writing glorifies it, and uses words a survivor/ victim of violence would NEVER use to describe Wha has happened to them. I know people who have gone through this shit, and seeing it cast in a literary light and glorified and beautified is disgusting. When I saw the author’s picture, I KNEW I couldn’t read it. He’s sort of smug, when you look at him, and he seems like the kind of guy who takes one philosophy class and the next thing you know, he’s giving you unsolicited advice.
But I’m not reviewing this to roast the author. I’m reviewing this because you can clearly see this guy didn’t talk to women and survivors of abuse, just through the writing. Turtle is so distant (I get that is supposed to be the point) but he only skims the surface of her character! Which doesn’t make sense because she IS THE MAIN CHARACTER!!! I know I only read 135 pages in, but honestly, I’ve read books that make me sympathetic towards a character in ten pages, and give characters more characterization in half of that. So please, spare me.
I’m so tired of books like these. The violence is literary and not real. These books are so common, especially with men. It’s just another case of “We the animals” and “I have the right to destroy myself” but this time.. with a CHILD!! And a girl!! For that matter! This book lacks emotion, I have no reason to want to cheer for Turtle, because she’s given no character. I was actually excited to read this one, because it sounded interesting! I thought that this would be a book of empowerment.. but no. It’s not.
It’s just another case of an man writing about violence because it’s supposed to be literary. This book has no substance, and I utterly hate it. Look, if you want a book that talks about violence, but isn’t purely torture porn but with descriptions of nature, go for Girls Burn Brighter by Shobha Rao. Please, that book actually has a fucking purpose instead of this. This is literally what I hate male authors (and sometimes women authors, but mostly male from my experience)
In conclusion, this book is supposed to make you think it’s a masterpiece. It’s not. It’s literally not. All things good, it is not. It’s fancy junk. Oh? And do u have to mention we have the classic “guy who reads classical literature and is super smart and philosophical” trope in here?
If that doesn’t turn you off and make you turn away, then I don’t know what will. The only reason I gave this book two stars is because of the writing, it’s nice, and the descriptions can really suck you in, but goodness no. This isn’t how you write a book about violence. When I read this book I was reminded of Watership Down. Which even though I enjoy that book, the tone of said book isn’t right for the plot of this one. Just.. if you’re triggered by abuse, especially sexual abuse, don’t read this. There’s nothing to it, it’s just.. beautified violence. It’s not worth it.