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emilyyyhillsss's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
“If you were a person, you were supposed to want to be a better person. Better people had a surplus of themselves that they were willing to give away, something they could separate out and detach. In me the portions only separated, pulling apart and waiting there for something to happen”
lmurphy93's review against another edition
4.0
This book started slow for me.. But, halfway through it took a turn for the weird. I’m honestly not sure why I enjoyed how weird it got, but I did. Anyone else?
bonanzajellybean's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I don’t know what’s going on but the vibes are great
svmreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved the first third of this book! However, as it went on and focused more on the Church of Conjoined Eaters, I found my interest waned. I wish the book concentrated more on the relationships between A, B, and C as opposed to the cult.
Still, I found Alexandra Kleeman's writing to be brilliant - I loved how she discussed consumerism and consumption. I'll definitely be checking out her other works!
Still, I found Alexandra Kleeman's writing to be brilliant - I loved how she discussed consumerism and consumption. I'll definitely be checking out her other works!
geoffreylittle's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable, curious, and odd. Now that I have finished the book I would like to go back and re-read. I did not experience a particularly strong arc of the story but I am also aware of the experimental nature of this writer. Kleeman strikes me as someone still at the early stage of their career honing their craft--this is someone who is going to be phenomenal in due time.
zenign's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
It’s very slow. It’s strange, but a numbed and bleak kind. If you want strong plot, this one isn’t for you. If you like movies like Being John Malkovich, you’ll probably like this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
diegobrando's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hmak's review against another edition
4.0
This book definitely smells like the Workshop but to define it only as a product of that would be doing a disservice to it and it's authors ambition. It is a first novel that doesn't reveal any anxiety about trying to "do everything" but rather is deeply focused in establishing itself as a working mirror, Although I think it speaks to the experience of women who have survived girlhood and live under capitalism, it was disappointing to witness and and the centering of a male character who was, ironically, shell-like and underdeveloped. Kleeman's construction of the cult though, is eerie and believable. Towards the end, I found myself so submerged in it as to begin having strange thoughts as though I was in the same shapeless, wandering mindset as the protagonist. (such as, "it's so strange that I know how to swallow water") There were areas that felt rushed and underdeveloped despite many knockout beautiful sentences. This is a novel that will probably sit with me for awhile.
Spoiler
the object which so frightens the protagonist.Spoiler
vitriolic female competitionrachel_a_'s review against another edition
2.0
Erm.
Hmmm.
The style of this was ok for the first few chapters and then got repetitive. The messaging about the beauty market and body image was clever to begin with but then randomly the direction of the story and character made not much sense.
It ends in a questionable but not exciting unexplained way for the character.
Didn't leave me with the impact I thought it would do when I was onky a few chapters in.
Hmmm.
The style of this was ok for the first few chapters and then got repetitive. The messaging about the beauty market and body image was clever to begin with but then randomly the direction of the story and character made not much sense.
It ends in a questionable but not exciting unexplained way for the character.
Didn't leave me with the impact I thought it would do when I was onky a few chapters in.