Gothic imagery meets the Californian sun in Rouge, culminating in a wildly strange yet beautiful story that tackles both the beauty industry and the mother-daughter dynamic in such a peculiarly horrifying way that has become synonymous with Awad’s works.

Following Belle after her mother’s untimely death, we watch as she fights her internalised colourism and self-loathing through exhaustive lists of her skincare regimen — a different exfoliant for each day of the week, diamond-infused eye serums, and sticky coatings of snail mucin — a dedication to beauty resulting from her envy towards her shockingly beautiful (and notably pale) mother. In grief, Belle finds herself falling into a glowing, gleaming delirium, characterised by the scent of roses, sage and eucalyptus spa treatments, vibrant red jellyfish, and nostalgic phantom visions.

Rouge has the same dreamlike qualities that Awad’s previous work Bunny possesses, both novels tracking their respective protagonist’s descent into madness, tantalised by the strangeness of the cultish groups that surround them when they are most vulnerable. Just like the many mirrors Belle and her mother stare at themselves through throughout the novel, Awad reflects society’s fascination with beauty and age via her enigmatic characters and truly indulgent settings — the Glow of the patrons at La Maison, the awe of the Depths, and the haze, heat, and salt air of sunny California.

Yet, at the centre of this book is a focus on the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Acting with juxtaposing envy and love, Belle and Noelle constantly antagonise and fawn other each other, forcing readers to ponder who dislikes who more, and if either one would truly swap their body for the others. It was so interesting to unpack this connection through the magical realism characteristic of much of Awad’s writing.

The only thing I would change about this book is that Seth would look like someone other than Tom Cruise because I cannot stand his face lol.

I am so grateful to read this before release !!!!!!!

Merged review:

Gothic imagery meets the Californian sun in Rouge, culminating in a wildly strange yet beautiful story that tackles both the beauty industry and the mother-daughter dynamic in such a peculiarly horrifying way that has become synonymous with Awad’s works.

Following Belle after her mother’s untimely death, we watch as she fights her internalised colourism and self-loathing through exhaustive lists of her skincare regimen — a different exfoliant for each day of the week, diamond-infused eye serums, and sticky coatings of snail mucin — a dedication to beauty resulting from her envy towards her shockingly beautiful (and notably pale) mother. In grief, Belle finds herself falling into a glowing, gleaming delirium, characterised by the scent of roses, sage and eucalyptus spa treatments, vibrant red jellyfish, and nostalgic phantom visions.

Rouge has the same dreamlike qualities that Awad’s previous work Bunny possesses, both novels tracking their respective protagonist’s descent into madness, tantalised by the strangeness of the cultish groups that surround them when they are most vulnerable. Just like the many mirrors Belle and her mother stare at themselves through throughout the novel, Awad reflects society’s fascination with beauty and age via her enigmatic characters and truly indulgent settings — the Glow of the patrons at La Maison, the awe of the Depths, and the haze, heat, and salt air of sunny California.

Yet, at the centre of this book is a focus on the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Acting with juxtaposing envy and love, Belle and Noelle constantly antagonise and fawn other each other, forcing readers to ponder who dislikes who more, and if either one would truly swap their body for the others. It was so interesting to unpack this connection through the magical realism characteristic of much of Awad’s writing.

The only thing I would change about this book is that Seth would look like someone other than Tom Cruise because I cannot stand his face lol.

I am so grateful to read this before release !!!!!!!

Merged review:

Gothic imagery meets the Californian sun in Rouge, culminating in a wildly strange yet beautiful story that tackles both the beauty industry and the mother-daughter dynamic in such a peculiarly horrifying way that has become synonymous with Awad’s works.

Following Belle after her mother’s untimely death, we watch as she fights her internalised colourism and self-loathing through exhaustive lists of her skincare regimen — a different exfoliant for each day of the week, diamond-infused eye serums, and sticky coatings of snail mucin — a dedication to beauty resulting from her envy towards her shockingly beautiful (and notably pale) mother. In grief, Belle finds herself falling into a glowing, gleaming delirium, characterised by the scent of roses, sage and eucalyptus spa treatments, vibrant red jellyfish, and nostalgic phantom visions.

Rouge has the same dreamlike qualities that Awad’s previous work Bunny possesses, both novels tracking their respective protagonist’s descent into madness, tantalised by the strangeness of the cultish groups that surround them when they are most vulnerable. Just like the many mirrors Belle and her mother stare at themselves through throughout the novel, Awad reflects society’s fascination with beauty and age via her enigmatic characters and truly indulgent settings — the Glow of the patrons at La Maison, the awe of the Depths, and the haze, heat, and salt air of sunny California.

Yet, at the centre of this book is a focus on the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Acting with juxtaposing envy and love, Belle and Noelle constantly antagonise and fawn other each other, forcing readers to ponder who dislikes who more, and if either one would truly swap their body for the others. It was so interesting to unpack this connection through the magical realism characteristic of much of Awad’s writing.

The only thing I would change about this book is that Seth would look like someone other than Tom Cruise because I cannot stand his face lol.

I am so grateful to read this before release !!!!!!!