A review by jaimeeslitlife
The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

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

2.0

For your reading pleasure, I present some chaotic and unrefined thoughts that I had while reading THE LAST HOUSEWIFE:

(SO MANY SPOILERS AHEAD)

Me: Okay. This is a lot of really stomach-turning chapters about men doing absolutely horrific things to women. But I think I understand why it's here, it's making us viscerally understand why this cult is such a twisted, disgusting organization.

Also Me: But do we really need more explicit stories of women being physically, mentally, and sexually abused as ✨entertainment ✨?

Me: I don't love that Shay is cheating on her husband. 

Also Me: But do characters have to be "perfect" or morally aligned with the reader in order to deserve sympathy? Can't I not love the cheating but also understand that people/characters are complex and make complex choices and that this woman who has been traumatized shouldn't have to also bear the burden of my approval over her relationship/sexual choices? Shouldn't I just be happy that in this case she has a choice?

Me: Wow they're really stressing the misogynistic manifesto here. Seems way too extreme and over-the-top to be believable.

Also Me: Oh God there are people out there who believe this shit (or portions of this shit).

Me: *guesses the plot twist on page 186*

Also Me: *disappointed that I was right*

So lots of back and forth thoughts on this one. Still digesting and trying to decide what thoughts are based on my own subconscious biases and which thoughts I really stand behind. But yay for books that make you think.
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