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A review by laedyred
Bunny by Mona Awad
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a book I feel positively toward even though I did not necessarily enjoy the story itself. Awad's writing is uniquely descriptive and she certainly knows how to write unlikeable characters. I was disappointed in the switch to pick-me behavior in part three. Some interpretations of the ending are I unfulfilling, they feel cheap. How much of the plot actually occurs is up for debate; it is a perfect English class example of an unreliable narrator. My criticism comes from what I feel is a weak message. There are the usual dark academia themes of classissm (financial and social), narcissism, and academic superiority joined with codependence and obsession.
But I don't feel like Bunny says anything particularly new; I saw it taking heavy inspiration from The Secret History. The absolute absurdity is what carries the novel, lending itself well to a book club discussion. The book is trying to be cerebral but comes off as pretentious, confusing just to be confusing. I'd be interested to know what value other readers gathered.
But I don't feel like Bunny says anything particularly new; I saw it taking heavy inspiration from The Secret History. The absolute absurdity is what carries the novel, lending itself well to a book club discussion. The book is trying to be cerebral but comes off as pretentious, confusing just to be confusing. I'd be interested to know what value other readers gathered.