reading about the main couple in this book was like when you have to go to brunch with that couple who should have broken up ages ago because they clereading about the main couple in this book was like when you have to go to brunch with that couple who should have broken up ages ago because they clearly hate eachother but for some reason they refuse to and then after you have had to listen to the argue for an hour through brunch they start talking about how they might get married soon and you want to put your and their heads through a wall
(I will come back to review this properly later)...more
- first half is extremely funny, 4 stars for that section - main character was so pathetic. understand this was the point but wish it hadn't gone on fo- first half is extremely funny, 4 stars for that section - main character was so pathetic. understand this was the point but wish it hadn't gone on for so long and more time had been dedicated to a catharsis / wrap up because 1 chapter wasn't enough - london section seemed a little unfocussed - I've seen this sort of book / story a lot of times and I don't think this was done as skilfully as I've seen it done before. - australian contemporary novels about white 20 something women all have the same tone and flavour like did everyone go to the same creative writing class? This reminded me so much of no hard feelings (which I preferred) - that said still fun, read it very quickly - also think the fact the main character pissed me off so bad works in its favour. got me emotionally involved and thats something...more
fun beginning but did that annoying this mysteries sometimes do where all the clues are basically impossible to piece together because the author doesfun beginning but did that annoying this mysteries sometimes do where all the clues are basically impossible to piece together because the author does a 360 on it all ... but I did like it was really atmospheric and the way the author wove different plot threads together...more
the first half of this book is much more personal and I liked that section. Some reviewers have criticised her yearning for academic recognit3.5 star*
the first half of this book is much more personal and I liked that section. Some reviewers have criticised her yearning for academic recognition and smarts here but that was kind of the point and also, I hate to say but I related! She talks about visiting her friend, a Rhode Scholar in Oxford, and how she always wanted to do this pilgrimage and how envious she was of those smart enough to make it. I have felt the same! I liked that section, it felt reflective, critical, interesting, nice story telling.
But the book became more and more unfocussed as it went on. Which isn't to say it wasn't interesting - a lot of it was. But I think it needed something more strong to tie all the different ideas she has together. We go down a lot of rabbit holes but I started to get a little lost. I also think for anyone who lives in Australia and has paid attention to politics, a lot of this will be rehash of things you already know. I also thought it could of benefitted from a wider perspective at times.
Overall, I don't think this was as strong as Eggshell Skull but I did still enjoy it. ...more
I loved the middle section but I thought it lost steam in the end and just didn't go as far as it needed to. Like everything was just kinda wrapped upI loved the middle section but I thought it lost steam in the end and just didn't go as far as it needed to. Like everything was just kinda wrapped up in a chapter and I thought it needed more. Didn't like as much as Genevieve Novak's first book BUT! still think she is a great young Australian talent and will read her next book...more
I'm sick of reading dumb books I'm inevitably going to rate 1-2 stars and this is a dumb book I was inevitably going to rate 1-2 stars!
tdnf @ page 161
I'm sick of reading dumb books I'm inevitably going to rate 1-2 stars and this is a dumb book I was inevitably going to rate 1-2 stars!
the author thinks it's satire and that it's very clever you can just tell, but it's just not! yellow peril racism masquerading as a plot - I also looked up the ending and (view spoiler)[ a cyclone comes and destroys the bridge!? HELLO is this my 5th grade creative writing project (hide spoiler)]
anyways I can only describe this as 'white australian boomer lit' core...more
I think I need to accept the author isn't for me as I had the same issues with this novel that I did with "Terra Nullius"
- Writing style that just doeI think I need to accept the author isn't for me as I had the same issues with this novel that I did with "Terra Nullius"
- Writing style that just doesn't engage my brain. Cannot explain it, but the writing style just does nothing for me, and I find it hard to focus when reading it. And also overuse of cliches when describing thoughts/feelings.
- Lack of character development / very one dimensional characters which leads to me just simply not... caring
- Heavy reliance on a plot twist as a writing device, but lack of originality in dystopian themes. Making it predicable and kind of underwhelming
- More just related to this one but I found a few scenes kinda cringe. The melbourne praise + Halal snack pack moment really
A shame because I want to love this author, hence giving her a second try, but it just didn't work for me ...more
at first I did not agree with some of the criticisms of this book. it's essentially the authors diary and I thought, it's fair the author is self pityat first I did not agree with some of the criticisms of this book. it's essentially the authors diary and I thought, it's fair the author is self pitying in her own diary and doesn't always share feelings which seem fair - it's literally her diary it doesn't need to be fair or correct.
but the further this got in, the more it became unbearable and grating. a lot of this book is centered on how the author feels cheated/deceived/victimised by her trans partner coming out and while I do at times think this did do a good job exploring the authors complex reaction - it was also just so overly self-pitying and lacking any form of serious self reflection that it became irritating. the journal format became a disservice because her reflections are rudimentary and surface level. "x thing happened, I felt sad" "y thing happened, I felt guilty". If this had done a better job really unpacking and exploring then it might have hit better, but instead it just became droll and monotonous.
the author honestly also just comes across as a little pathetic, when it seems like 50% of her issue is she cannot do anything alone or sit in her own presence. it's like obviously all break ups are bad and can be traumatising but also.. come on girly. It just at some point became a little eye roll inducing and unbearable.
I also just found it so funny and kinda cringe how she made sure to mention, MANY TIMES, how everyone around her thinks she's such a saint and soo amazing for going through all this and sooo strong and that she non-ironically calls herself an empath. lol...more
I liked the second half but I thought the first half lacked nuance and too obviously wrote to an agenda without considering all sides to an argument. I liked the second half but I thought the first half lacked nuance and too obviously wrote to an agenda without considering all sides to an argument. And it was like glaringly obvious? Kept waiting for it to address some of the flaws in it's own logic and it never did. Don't know who I would recommend this to? Felt like it was lacking depth for people who study pols (me) but I wouldn't recommend it for people who aren't because of it being so one-sided...more
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