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Love & Other Carnivorous Plants
by
Freshman year at Harvard was the most anticlimactic year of Danny's life. She's failing pre-med and drifting apart from her best friend. One by one, Danny is losing all the underpinnings of her identity. When she finds herself attracted to an older, edgy girl who she met in rehab for an eating disorder, she finally feels like she might be finding a new sense of self. But w
...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
May 15th 2018
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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Start your review of Love & Other Carnivorous Plants
This book features a character so self-destructive that she might as well come with a Danger! Object may combust under extreme stress sticker. Or in other words, it was everything about myself I try to not dwell on. Danny? She dwells. She makes stupid decisions, thinks the worst things, and is an all-around mess. But I think that’s what made her so real.
Mental illness makes you think - no, dwell - on the worst parts of yourself. And Danny reflects that. This is a book about a girl who tries to e ...more
Mental illness makes you think - no, dwell - on the worst parts of yourself. And Danny reflects that. This is a book about a girl who tries to e ...more
I’m so surprised with this novel! I picked LOVE & OTHER CARNIVOROUS PLANTS up on a whim, and I just finished reading this in one sitting. I’m definitely adding Florence Gonsalves to my auto-buy authors.
This novel follows Danny, who is a college student at Harvard but is struggling with an eating disorder, body image, her sexuality, and the recent death of a close friend. The plot was very fast-paced and I whipped through the pages faster than I thought was possible. Danny was so authentic and ge ...more
This novel follows Danny, who is a college student at Harvard but is struggling with an eating disorder, body image, her sexuality, and the recent death of a close friend. The plot was very fast-paced and I whipped through the pages faster than I thought was possible. Danny was so authentic and ge ...more
3.5 STARS
Oh gosh, I have such mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, there's a lot to like. The prose is beautiful, which is especially refreshing in a YA novel, as I often find that the writing in the genre ditches quality sentences in favor of what a lot of authors must see as "voice." Gonsalves sees no need to compromise though; the prose is crystalline and occasionally lyrical, and yet LOVE's protagonist, Danny, sounds exactly like a nineteen-year old. Her voice is pitch-perfect, an ...more
Oh gosh, I have such mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, there's a lot to like. The prose is beautiful, which is especially refreshing in a YA novel, as I often find that the writing in the genre ditches quality sentences in favor of what a lot of authors must see as "voice." Gonsalves sees no need to compromise though; the prose is crystalline and occasionally lyrical, and yet LOVE's protagonist, Danny, sounds exactly like a nineteen-year old. Her voice is pitch-perfect, an ...more
I tried really hard to like this book. It deals with some hard stuff and I figured that even if it wasn't pretty, it was worth reading. But good god, the characters are far too unlikable. Not a single one of them makes you like them, hell even sympathise with them or hate them. They're not characters, they're just damn empty.
And the realtionship that we're supposed to take as romantic is so toxic. They enable each others illnesses and are just not good for each other, outside of a few moments. ...more
And the realtionship that we're supposed to take as romantic is so toxic. They enable each others illnesses and are just not good for each other, outside of a few moments. ...more
Jul 21, 2018
PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
VERY well-written, Love & Other Carnivorous Plants by Florence Gonsalves is a book that explores some extremely heavy topics: mental health, eating disorders, sexuality and sexual identity, grief and substance abuse.
It's hard for me to write a review for this one - this doesn't feel like the best space to try to grapple with what I've read or what I'm feeling after finishing. Just know that this book is not for the faint of heart. You want a fluffy, cute read? Go find a Kasie West book. This on ...more
It's hard for me to write a review for this one - this doesn't feel like the best space to try to grapple with what I've read or what I'm feeling after finishing. Just know that this book is not for the faint of heart. You want a fluffy, cute read? Go find a Kasie West book. This on ...more
Ok so first of all: trigger warnings for this book for fatphobia and an eating disorder (I know it's in the synopsis, but it should be a warning before going into this book, too).
I had... so many issues with this book. I know there's an author's note at the end where the author explains that she recognizes her main character isn't "exemplary" and engages in unhealthy coping mechanisms, but I personally don't think addressing the problems with some of the character's habits in a letter at the end ...more
I had... so many issues with this book. I know there's an author's note at the end where the author explains that she recognizes her main character isn't "exemplary" and engages in unhealthy coping mechanisms, but I personally don't think addressing the problems with some of the character's habits in a letter at the end ...more
Aug 26, 2016
Dahlia
added it
Think
American Panda
meets
Paperweight
, which sounds really great except it felt like I'd already read this, because I wouldn't say it does a ton on top of those things. (Especially because although she's in college, she's never in that setting for any portion of the book, so it differentiates itself even less from
Paperweight
.)
From a queer perspective, I really liked this; I know readers will dislike Danny's refusal to self-label, and the author knows it, too, because there's an au ...more
From a queer perspective, I really liked this; I know readers will dislike Danny's refusal to self-label, and the author knows it, too, because there's an au ...more
I really loved Danny’s voice in this book. She made me laugh and feel her acute contradictions and the itchy realness of her suffering. She was a wonderful narrator of the show-don’t-tell variety, who fucks up and fucks up and lies to herself and lies to you and makes hyperbolic jokes all along the way.
The story itself I didn’t love. Halfway through it takes a sudden sharp turn, and from there wavers along, no longer certain of its destination or goals. It doesn’t stick the landing because it ca ...more
The story itself I didn’t love. Halfway through it takes a sudden sharp turn, and from there wavers along, no longer certain of its destination or goals. It doesn’t stick the landing because it ca ...more
Ahhh, this book. It has my entire heart. The eating disorder rep is unparalleled.
Disclaimer: I received this book through KidLitExchange and Little, Brown Books! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (sex, lgbt+, eating disorders, fixation, self-destructive tendencies. Please be aware there are some possible triggers for those who have eating disorders).
Pages: 352
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Freshman year at Harvard was the most anticlimactic year of Danny's life. She's failing pre-med and drifting apart from her best fri ...more
Rating: 3/5
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 16+ (sex, lgbt+, eating disorders, fixation, self-destructive tendencies. Please be aware there are some possible triggers for those who have eating disorders).
Pages: 352
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Freshman year at Harvard was the most anticlimactic year of Danny's life. She's failing pre-med and drifting apart from her best fri ...more
This book was painful to finish. And I have no idea why. From the synopsis, it honestly seemed like the perfect book for me- it's exactly the genre that I always read and enjoy. But this was just different. It was so excessively long I got frustrated. So many things could have been condensed or summarized, but this book had so many filler chapters that literally did not advance the plot at all. My english teacher once gave me amazing advice, saying, "think about whether a particular detail or ev
...more
Dropped at pg 75.
Despite this book having a shockingly low Goodreads rating average (3.39), I didn't go into this one hating it. I was curious sure, but I already owned it so I figured to try it out. Sometimes things are better left a mystery though. I just couldn't do it.
For some reason this book just... skipped everything important. It skipped on the before and during of this character's eating disorder and other issues that lead her into taking a break from college to go to a treatment center ...more
Despite this book having a shockingly low Goodreads rating average (3.39), I didn't go into this one hating it. I was curious sure, but I already owned it so I figured to try it out. Sometimes things are better left a mystery though. I just couldn't do it.
For some reason this book just... skipped everything important. It skipped on the before and during of this character's eating disorder and other issues that lead her into taking a break from college to go to a treatment center ...more
3.5 Stars. Okay, it's been a few days since I finished the book. I still stand by my 3.5 rating. The book starts off funny. I loved the sarcasm and dark humor of the main character. Danny is a highly-focused overachiever. She was valedictorian at her high school and is going to Harvard as a premed major. She and her best friend have always had a plan. They would go to college together, get married, become widows, and live the rest of their lives out together. Unfortunately, that plan becomes mes
...more
Okay, so basically I got this book for free. When one gets a book for free that is nothing to sniff at. I almost drop kicked a few children to get my hands on it. Am I happy about that decision? I dunno. Would I do it again? Probably. Anyway, without further adieu, let's get to what I kind of liked about this book and what I absolutely hated.
Pros because I like to start positive: has a very real portrayal of eating disorders and mental illness, also the main character is in a same-sex relationsh ...more
Pros because I like to start positive: has a very real portrayal of eating disorders and mental illness, also the main character is in a same-sex relationsh ...more
What a crazy journey. I loved all the twists and turns. Danny was such a great character because of how imperfect she is. She was such an incredible character, with so many issues that she was trying so hard to work through. Definitely a refreshing contemporary. Just wish her and Bugg ended differently...
Lesbian romance, a vague sex scene, underage drinking, as well as frank discussion of mental illness including eating disorders.
Lesbian romance, a vague sex scene, underage drinking, as well as frank discussion of mental illness including eating disorders.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This book was a little disappointing in terms of the characters, I really felt every single character lacked depth and because of that I wasn’t really fond of any of them.
That being said, I still enjoyed this book. It was super funny at times and also dealt with grief, mental illness and sexuality. Not necessarily in the right ways, but in truthful ways.
This book was a little disappointing in terms of the characters, I really felt every single character lacked depth and because of that I wasn’t really fond of any of them.
That being said, I still enjoyed this book. It was super funny at times and also dealt with grief, mental illness and sexuality. Not necessarily in the right ways, but in truthful ways.
Maybe 3.5 stars
I liked this book, but it dragged a bit for me. I would have really liked the story that occurs before the main events of this book. Overall though, it was a good read and an interesting look at living your true self in life and facing your problems.
I liked this book, but it dragged a bit for me. I would have really liked the story that occurs before the main events of this book. Overall though, it was a good read and an interesting look at living your true self in life and facing your problems.
I would do a full review but I don't think it is worth it. I think that it wasn't a good representation of eating disorders with the toxicity and bad characterization. I think the writing the writing is not very well developed. It might be others' cup of tea but after ten months I am dnfing.
...more
Jun 07, 2018
Gabrielle
added it
we're going to move on from this nightmare :)
...more
This book was VERY boring - I felt absolutely no sympathy for the characters.
DNF at page 139
Yikes.
Yikes.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I picked up this book on a whim because the first line was so intriguing. The main character, Danny, has such an interesting, sardonic voice, which I think was a risk but a risk that paid off. There were several times while reading that I had to sticky note a quote because I wanted to come back to revisit the idea; sometimes they were so small but poignant.
I loved this book and could not put it down until the end. The story follows a perfectionist's feelings of feeling not good enough and the c ...more
I loved this book and could not put it down until the end. The story follows a perfectionist's feelings of feeling not good enough and the c ...more
*3*
If you know me then you know contemporary novels aren't my most favorite thing. I've read many that I've enjoyed and want to read a few but there aren't something I actively reach for or that capture me as much as a good fantasy does. I know though that I would have loved this so much more if I was really into the contemporary genre and might have even given it five stars. With all that being said I still enjoyed this book for the most part. It's a book that deals with a lot of hard but impor ...more
If you know me then you know contemporary novels aren't my most favorite thing. I've read many that I've enjoyed and want to read a few but there aren't something I actively reach for or that capture me as much as a good fantasy does. I know though that I would have loved this so much more if I was really into the contemporary genre and might have even given it five stars. With all that being said I still enjoyed this book for the most part. It's a book that deals with a lot of hard but impor ...more
With my typical style of review, giving this one a 'proper' review would be tough. It's been a while (maybe a little too long, I don't read as much as I should, especially when life gets busy), so maybe I should reinvent my system for reviews. But I don't know yet.
To be clear, my typical style is give my overall opinion, followed by the positives and the negatives. The reason that would be hard for this book is that I couldn't decide how I felt about most of this book. I did respond emotionally ...more
To be clear, my typical style is give my overall opinion, followed by the positives and the negatives. The reason that would be hard for this book is that I couldn't decide how I felt about most of this book. I did respond emotionally ...more
When I got this book from the library, I was prepared to fall head-over-heels in love with it. I had seen someone in the booktube community give it high praise, and I was sure this meant I was going to adore the book. Sadly, this was not the case. Although there was plenty about this book that I enjoyed, it wasn't the five star read I was anticipating.
Summary: Danny's life is not going according to plan. She got accepted at Harvard as a pre-med student, but lost her second semester as she was f ...more
Summary: Danny's life is not going according to plan. She got accepted at Harvard as a pre-med student, but lost her second semester as she was f ...more
If you're looking for a sophisticated "adult" read, be prepared. This isn't for adults. The writing and the voice is way more amateur, but as a young adult novel this voice isn't meant for adults. This book in general isn't made for adults because while hitting on some serious adult themes, it's still made for teenagers.
The only thing that really irked me about the book was the writing and the voice. However, I also took it with a grain of sand because Florence Gonsalves had a point in writing t ...more
The only thing that really irked me about the book was the writing and the voice. However, I also took it with a grain of sand because Florence Gonsalves had a point in writing t ...more
First I'd like to mention that this novel contains mentions of suicide, eating disorders, and depression. Please understand this before deciding to pick this novel up.
I wanted to love this novel so badly. I read the synopsis and automatically was intrigued with the plot and the characters we got to follow.
Unfortunately, this novel fell a bit flat for me and I really couldn't get into it after the first 100 or so pages. After starting this novel I honestly thought it was going to be a new favou ...more
I wanted to love this novel so badly. I read the synopsis and automatically was intrigued with the plot and the characters we got to follow.
Unfortunately, this novel fell a bit flat for me and I really couldn't get into it after the first 100 or so pages. After starting this novel I honestly thought it was going to be a new favou ...more
Danny and Sara have been best friends forever. Along with being best friends forever comes The Plan. The Plan is to go to college together, fall in love with brothers and raise their kids together. But when Danny is accepted to Harvard, The Plan goes haywire. As she goes to her first year of college, her life catches up to her. After studying pre-med for part of a year, Danny winds up in treatment for an eating disorder where she meets an older girl who understands what it feels like to be compl
...more
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