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WOMEN DON’T OWE YOU PRETTY BY FLORENCE GIVEN
Rating: 5/5
Favourite Quote: ‘What parts of your self-expression feel like a routine, and what makes you feel electric?’
This is such an eye-opening read. Florence Given engages with crucial intersectional feminist concerns head on and covers so many bases in different chapters. These include the male gaze, rape culture, sexual assault, privilege, sexuality, self worth, social media representation and more.
I really enjoyed the form and content. It was informative but also very reader friendly - it's so easy to absorb and transition between sections. Quirky illustrations marry up with digestible chapters for a contemporary page-turner that doesn't hold back. I encourage anyone and everyone to read this at some point in their lives - a feminist encyclopaedia that rivets and empowers!
"To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." — Edmund Burke
IN THE DREAM HOUSE BY CARMEN MACHADO
Rating: 5/5
Reading 'In the Dream House' by Carmen Machado feels like stepping into a dream teetering on the edge of a nightmare. Set in Canada, this memoir delves into the harrowing reality of an abusive lesbian relationship, presenting a fragmented and unsettling narrative.
Form
From the first page, the book hooks you with its casual critique of overtures in the overture, inviting you into a unapologetic and self-referential tale. Each chapter, averaging a page in length, jumps between subjects, creating an engaging, sporadic rhythm. Machado’s clever use of form—such as chapters titled Dream House As Mrs. Galloway, Dream House As Parallel Universe, and Dream House As Self-Help Bestseller—keeps the narrative fresh and digestible, blending random, fantasy, and literary elements with cutting reality.
Dream House As Trauma
Machado’s house isn’t cosy. It’s made of paper, and all the pages are squeezed shut. Living with her partner drains the life from her home, a claustrophobia she translates into the book itself. The short, controlled chapters sometimes feel abruptly cut off, as if the pen was ripped from her hands. Midway through, the narrative takes a jarring turn with instructions to jump forward or back pages, leaving readers disoriented. This mirrors the control her abuser exerts over her, making us feel the disintegration of her narrative space.
Dream House As You
Despite the diversions and world shifts, Machado maintains a direct connection with the reader. She frequently addresses you, especially at her lowest points, pulling you into her raw emotions. You feel compelled to reach into the pages and rescue her, but you can’t look away.
Conclusion
'In the Dream House' defies the conventions of memoir, offering no neatly served-up self on a silver platter. It’s raw yet articulate, evasive yet focused, each fragment as enthralling as the next. Carmen Machado’s narrative is a powerful exploration of abuse, resilience, and identity, capturing the complexities of trauma with unflinching honesty. This is a memoir that stays with you, urging reflection long after the final page.
"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written. That is all." — Oscar Wilde
THE FLAT SHARE BY BETH O’LEARY
Rating: 3/5
This was a bit different for me because I don’t tend to read romance, rom-coms, or chick-lit.
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'The Flat Share' follows Tiffy, a young woman navigating life after a toxic relationship. Working at a publishing company in London, Tiffy needs a new place to live after breaking up with her ex. Enter Leon, a nurse looking to make some extra money by renting out his flat. Tiffy takes up his offer, leading to a unique living arrangement.
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I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of Tiffy’s close friends Mo, Gerty, and Rach. Their dynamic added depth to the story and provided a supportive backdrop for Tiffy’s journey. The author’s exploration of gaslighting and emotional abuse throughout Tiffy’s story is both timely and important, reflecting a growing recognition of these issues in today's society.
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One refreshing aspect was the portrayal of a love story within a working-class setting. Many rom-coms often lean towards a middle-class milieu, so this was a welcome change. The author skillfully showcased dialect and place, adding authenticity to the narrative.
In the beginning, there wasn’t much differentiation in voice between Tiffy and Leon, which was slightly confusing. However, as the narrative progressed, their characters became more distinct and individual. Tiffy’s growth was particularly enjoyable to follow; she became more in tune with her femininity and gradually gained confidence throughout the novel.
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The ending was a bit cliché, but that might be my unfamiliarity with the genre talking. Overall, it was a worthwhile read, offering a heartfelt, feel-good story.
THE COLOUR PURPLE BY ALICE WALKER
Rating: 4/5
Favourite Quote: 'One day when I was sitting quiet and feeling like a motherless child, which I was, it came to me: that feeling of being part of everything, not separate at all. I knew that if I cut a tree, my arm would bleed.’
'The Color Purple' is a powerful narrative showcasing Alice Walker's keen insight into social issues that still resonate today. Through Celie’s journey, Walker bravely tackles personal traumas like abuse and resilience while exploring broader themes of racial identity, cultural erasure, and the enduring impact of colonialism during the early 20th century.
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Celie’s evolution from a voiceless victim to a resilient woman, supported by fellow Black women like Shug, challenges readers to rethink notions of agency and empowerment. Walker navigates the complexities of Celie’s relationships, particularly with Shug, whose unconditional love and acceptance are pivotal to Celie’s self-discovery.
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The exchange of letters between Nettie and Celie provides a poignant contrast between the African American experience and the African diaspora, shedding light on identity and belonging against the backdrop of European colonisation. The portrayal of the Olinka tribe, grappling with their history of complicity in the slave trade, underscores Walker’s exploration of intergenerational trauma and cultural heritage.
One of the novel's many strengths is its emotional depth. The highs and lows experienced by Celie are raw and visceral, drawing readers into her world with unflinching honesty. Walker's use of sentimentalism amplifies the emotional impact, making Celie’s triumphs and tribulations feel profoundly human. The richness of the character portrayals—each individual, from Celie to Shug to Albert, evolving in response to their circumstances—adds layers of complexity to the narrative, enriching the themes of resilience, redemption, and the search for belonging.
VERITY BY COLLEEN HOOVER
Rating: 4.5/5
Favourite Quote: 'And that’s what love at first sight is. It isn’t really love at first sight until you’ve been with the person long enough for it to become love at first sight.'
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Verity marks my re-entry into the world of suspense and thrillers, a genre I haven’t visited in a long time. The fact that I devoured 90% of this book in one sitting speaks volumes about its gripping nature—something that rarely happens with my attention span.
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The story centres around Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer in Manhattan. She is unexpectedly offered the opportunity to co-write the final three books of a famous series by Verity Crawford, a bestselling author. Initially hesitant, Lowen is persuaded by Verity’s charming husband, Jeremy, to take on the project.
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However, Verity is more than just an elusive figure in the literary world. As Lowen delves into Verity’s work, she becomes entangled in the complexities of Verity’s tumultuous life. The deeper she goes, the more she uncovers about Verity’s intense, passionate, and messy existence, drawing her into a web of mystery and intrigue.
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I'm sure I'm not the only one who has picked up on Colleen Hoover's famously engrossing openings. This is possibly my favourite yet, with an in-medias-res start that kicks off the pace of the novel. From here onwards, the narrative techniques keep coming. One of my features is the use of the story-within-a-story trope, which Hoover employs masterfully. I'm a sucker for a book about books, and this one invites readers to tap into the truth between the lines. The layers of storytelling are woven together seamlessly, enhancing the suspense and keeping the reader hooked.
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Verity is a fast-paced, engrossing read that pulls you in from the very first page. Colleen Hoover’s deft use of narrative techniques and her ability to craft complex, multi-dimensional characters make this book a standout in the suspense genre. While the twist at the end might leave some readers with more questions than answers, it is this very ambiguity that makes Verity such a compelling read. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a page-turner.
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