Strange book that was strangely engrossing. The protagonist is awful. She knows she’s awful. I think the aspect of the book that works so well is the searing inner monologue. It’s not so much “honest” as it is simply that vicious voice in our heads. The heroine destroys that voice in a very non conventional and unhealthy way. But she wins. Fascinating stuff.

I'm not drawn to stories about disaffected young adults so the surprise here is that I enjoyed this at all. I can't fall in love with a 'poor little rich girl' book but the writing held my attention until the end. ( )

A difficult book--not necessarily because the characters are so unlikeable, but because it felt repetitive and exhausting. ( )

When I Saw The Woman On The Cover I Thought This Book Would Take Place In The Regency Era Therefore I Am Disappointed

2.5/5

not totally sure how i feel about this yet. most of the reviews say something like "it's supposed to be boring" lol ok??? she did a good job then

i like the main character- i know you're not supposed to. relatable depresssion, but honestly the book itself felt pretty shallow for how much everyone loves it. the main character is definitely vapid (but in a way i adore)

i can't take the ending seriously. i knew it was coming too i just couldnt believe she committed to that ( )

2018 is the year of intellectual, unlikable female characters who I just so happen to love (the nameless protagonist in this book, Lucy in Melissa Broder's The Pisces, Selin in The Idiot, Bobbi in Sally Rooney's Conversations with Friends, etc...). However, what this book has that the others don't is a real feeling darkness; with the exception of interpersonal relationships (she's orphaned, single, and pretty much detests her "best friend"), the narrator pretty much has it all. She's beautiful. She's thin. She's intelligent. She's wealthy. She has a good job... she has all the qualities that are ideal and that society praises (just ask Reva, who doesn't understand why her best friend is acting like this). But while the narrator knows this (and let's the reader know quite frequently), she also knows that she needs to find meaning outside the mundane, superficial ways of society. Thus begins our character's hibernation - a repetitive, year long journey of taking lots of prescription pills, watching lots of horrible VHS tapes, and being the shittiest person on earth - which is the character hopes will allow her to emerge from her drug induced state as a new, rejuvenated person.

There is a plot twist in here that was extremely predictable, but the entire last page of this book is genius and makes following the character's journey worthwhile.

A side note: Hands down favorite cover art of the year. What a perfect fit. ( )