Reviews

Mona by Pola Oloixarac

daveybabey's review against another edition

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4.0

Every time I get the feeling we’re too in the weeds of hating the world of literature we take a left turn into something profound, funny, or disturbing.

Love an ambiguous ending and love this ending. I honestly wish more movies were like this.

alicia_zurita's review against another edition

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2.0

I had a lot of expectations for this book. In theory, it sounded like a gripping book that would’ve had me on the edge of my seat. In practice, it kind of fell flat.

First, it didn’t feel like a real plot but instead a stream of consciousness with no real direction.

The writing was descriptive and it helped paint a picture of the characters and the scenery, but sometimes it fell in stereotypical descriptions of various cultures and it felt like it was overdone.

I feel like the book tried to cover many pressing issues that it fell flat with no real stance on any of them. The ending felt like it amounted to nothing.

clare_mcgall's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

zora_l's review against another edition

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4.0

Most insane thing I’ve ever read and I loved it, HIGHly recommend

furbiedurbie's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

csteffes's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 ⭐️
An incredibly ambitious, experimental and violent novel. Brutal satire of the elite literary community and brilliant commentary on the commodification of identity in elite spaces. This had spectacular potential, that didn’t quite come together for me, but the end certainly packed a vibrant and emotional punch.

patrick2024's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

4.5

So poetic to read. Totally confusing ending. 

vishnu_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

kennyrobs's review against another edition

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3.0

LOL what a JARRING ending haha

hpnyknits's review against another edition

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4.0

This novella starts as an amusing satirical story, poking gentle fun at writers who take themselves too seriously, but are actually just fakes.
But it all comes crashing at the dramatic ending.