You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Animal by Lisa Taddeo

20 reviews

emmague89's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

missbrookss's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

2.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

1moodreader's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Months later, I still don't know what I read. 

The audiobook narrated by Emma Roberts is just *chefs kiss*.  She did an amazing job, and her voice was perfect for this character. 

The book itself is an exploration of female trauma, rage, and mental illness. I can't say I like Joan, but I don't hate her either. Check CW! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

elhay03's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

joanaprneves's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.25

This is a compulsive read because the writing is skillfully unexpected and the story so outlandishly gruesome that you can’t stop. Also, the unhappy, derailed sex. 
I presume that this is supposed to be a reverse Lolita (there is one menton to her, as well as Henry Miller). That is, the perspective of the survivor of abusive desire. The planted need of beauty and money to assuage trauma.
However, what makes the book compelling at first - the incredible writing which makes connections that I never thought of and opens emotional depths - becomes mannerist and over the top. The plot unravels rather than unfolds and the end is simply ridiculous. We stop following the character not because she is unlikeable but because the writing suddenly makes her artificial.  The plot twists are just that, there is no real necessity for them. At a certain point, you feel too manipulated.
That said, I would still recommend it for the first part and for a few insights into the female psyche. It feels like a book where all the use made of women in narrative - and in life - are crammed together but written from the perspective of the used woman. It’s a pity that the writer felt compelled to overdo it and lose the reader (at least this one) midway. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kitty03's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

saoirsebb's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

tegalodon's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emmamoulton's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emelymarie's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings