Scan barcode
dasiadandelion's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Self harm
Minor: Drug use
indielee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
padancer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Rape
ayanahazeley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual violence
rachela_7's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
bblob's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
charismae_reads's review against another edition
2.5
Acts of Desperation is well written, I can't argue against that. But it often feels like a disproportionate melancholic fever dream all strung out. The ending feels like a slight moment of clarity that contrasts the book's overall somber tone.
Tbh I fought fight tooth and nail to get past all the gritty parts of this book and breathed a sigh of relief once it was all done.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
crispycaulfield's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Animal death and Vomit
anadorablegal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol
zreadz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
What started out as a book that seemed like it would investigate the inner turmoil of toxic relationships and the misogynistic views imposed on women from a young age, turned into an unhinged societal stream of consciousness read.
While some may find a certain allure in watching a train wreck, there was no redeeming moment for the protagonist, and nothing left me with even a hint of hope for womanhood. The narrative felt like a continuous stream of trauma, with some scenes so graphic in their depiction of sexual violence that it seemed like a fantasy for the particularly depraved.
I did relate to the protagonist’s inner conflicts surrounding men, body image, and navigating one’s 20s as a woman trying to reconcile societal expectations with a desire to find one’s true self. However, the end of the book left me feeling confused, irritated, and afraid. Is this the journey women must go through to find themselves? Are we defined by our relationships, our willingness to be alone, are we destined to fail in life if we have trauma? I struggled to understand the message the book was trying to convey and almost wanted to forget about it altogether. It almost reminded me of the premise of Bell Hooks’ Communion and new wave feminism.
It felt like reading a bad omen. This book is like Normal People, but with both protagonists being insufferable, having extreme unresolved trauma, and breaking up in a horrifically violent and crude manner. This was not the read I was expecting or wanting. Maybe that’s the message?
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence