"Amber was painfully aware of the mismatch between her politics and her desires."
Have you put a book down, after you've finished it and thought "hmm how do I feel about that?". That was my conundrum after closing the last page. I was tormented by how hideous everyone was and yet how relatable much of their shame, embarrassment and inability to communicate was. Everyone is trying to not be horrible and kind of failing miserably.
Some, like Brendan, are captive in this toxic masculinity bind that they can't seem to escape. Even when he likes a girl he manages to treat her hideously and most of his behaviour is horrific.
His mum, has lived through her son and now suffers major empty nesting issues, confounded by a new-found porn addiction. There is this sense that she's put all her desires at bay in bringing up her child and now her frustration is palpable and her decision making becomes more than a little questionable.
Even what I've set out above seems a little too black and white. Often the most horrific characters had moments of appeal and yet the quantum seemed depressing - but maybe that's just the messy world we live in these days.
Ultimately, I found the story as frustrating as the characters and yet I still can't articulate why in a coherent fashion.
4 out of 5 reasons why I'm glad I don't have kids.
Some, like Brendan, are captive in this toxic masculinity bind that they can't seem to escape. Even when he likes a girl he manages to treat her hideously and most of his behaviour is horrific.
His mum, has lived through her son and now suffers major empty nesting issues, confounded by a new-found porn addiction. There is this sense that she's put all her desires at bay in bringing up her child and now her frustration is palpable and her decision making becomes more than a little questionable.
Even what I've set out above seems a little too black and white. Often the most horrific characters had moments of appeal and yet the quantum seemed depressing - but maybe that's just the messy world we live in these days.
Ultimately, I found the story as frustrating as the characters and yet I still can't articulate why in a coherent fashion.
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