**spoiler alert** This book was wonderfully written and explores jealousy, sexual tension, class tension, and so many other themes. It reads like a sh**spoiler alert** This book was wonderfully written and explores jealousy, sexual tension, class tension, and so many other themes. It reads like a short story but is so immersive and sucks you in. The ending is terrifying and heartbreaking and confusing all at once. The slow yet fast breakdown of Elodie’s marriage and life as she knows it makes you hate Violet but also Elodie. The toxic “friendship” between them continues on in Elodie’s letters and adds so much complexity after the main event.
I found it so interesting that the author based the book on an unexplained mass poisoning. The Ambassador’s role in the poisoning in the book was also interesting to me and I felt as though it comments on war-time human experimentation and speaks to thoughts on American food production and processing....more
**spoiler alert** This book is such an interesting dive into trauma and family and mental health. Vivian’s struggles with her own mind while working i**spoiler alert** This book is such an interesting dive into trauma and family and mental health. Vivian’s struggles with her own mind while working in a psychiatric hospital lend such an interesting perspective to the whole field and make the book super intense. The visceral way Johnson writes Vivian’s anxiety makes it feel so real. I loved that she includes healing at the end of the story and allows Vivian to make important changes to become balanced and understand how to live with her trauma.
I relate so hard to Vivian and the questions about family and filial debt will absolutely stick with me forever. I will probably re-read this and I’m sure I’ll learn even more with every reading....more
**spoiler alert** A sapphic, sci-fi Romeo and Juliet re-telling (with an alternate ending thanks to time-travel). I liked the commentary on technology**spoiler alert** A sapphic, sci-fi Romeo and Juliet re-telling (with an alternate ending thanks to time-travel). I liked the commentary on technology vs nature and the war between them. I know it’s a novella, but everything happens so abruptly that I found it hard to follow. The writing between the letters is also deeply impersonal and I had a hard time with the flow of it and the personal letters....more
While this is definitely not a “fun” read, I found it very relatable and thought-provoking. The whole book is so incredibly feminine and explores themWhile this is definitely not a “fun” read, I found it very relatable and thought-provoking. The whole book is so incredibly feminine and explores themes if female friendship, misogyny, loneliness, and growing up and getting older. I loved the concept of their supper clubs and how uninhibited they are.
Definitely check TWs for the book as it is quite intense and difficult to read at times. I also struggled with the constant back and forth timelines and found it confusing, though I think that is the point of the writing style....more
My first experimental non-fiction book! I enjoyed the mix of writing styles and thought they helped emphasize the point of each chapter. I feel like tMy first experimental non-fiction book! I enjoyed the mix of writing styles and thought they helped emphasize the point of each chapter. I feel like the book encapsulates what it’s like to be in your 20s and trying to figure out your place in the world. It does discuss in depth some really difficult to read concepts which were unsettling, but I liked it overall!...more
Interesting retelling of the classic! I struggled to relate to the characters, so I didn’t quite enjoy the book. It read a bit more like a short storyInteresting retelling of the classic! I struggled to relate to the characters, so I didn’t quite enjoy the book. It read a bit more like a short story than a novel as there is very little writing to orient you to the world the story is set in....more
**spoiler alert** While I did enjoy the book, I had a problem with some of the pacing. The tale starts very quickly and doesn’t slow down. As usual, I**spoiler alert** While I did enjoy the book, I had a problem with some of the pacing. The tale starts very quickly and doesn’t slow down. As usual, I like Ava Reid’s writing style and dark, eclectic imagery, but I think it’s my least favorite of hers so far.
I liked the idea of Effy, but not so much the execution of her character. The trauma she endures is so relatable to every woman though and is really important to think about. The whole premise of the book is really interesting and makes you think about all of the famous literary works and who might have actually written them. How many women were not given credit for their stories and their works?...more
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