Merryn Allingham
asked:
I'm half way through this book but finding it very disturbing - not because it's psychologically disturbing, that after all is the genre of the book - but because it contains so much ugliness. The descriptions of pig farming (I'm a veggie so that doesn't help) and the heroine's need to continually cut herself are nauseating. I'm wondering if I'm alone in this reaction?
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Jen
That's the one word I have to describe this book...disturbing. So much hate and ill-treatment of others and oneself. I was depressed while reading it and tried to finish it quickly just so I could get on to other, better reads.
Kate
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Beeteach7
I wanted to burn the book when I was done.
Wanda
I sure don't think that I'd want to see this in film. What really bothers me is that the author is able to express the disturbing ideas of the characters so well. I actually worry about her (the writer) as I read. Maybe just the old lady in me.
Lihsa
It is disturbing and disgusting but I think that's what the author was going for. I'm sure at the time it published it jack-knifed it's way to the top of everyone's to-be-read pile.
Jan
You nailed it with "ugliness." Not just the physical things that are a part of the book, but the character of the sister (classic bratty "mean girl" and the very self-centered mother were painful and disturbing to read.
Kathleen Whiteside
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Lauren
For me, the ugliest part was when Camille described her mother pulling out her eyelashes and walking around with irritated eyes... that mental image is going to stay with me for awhile.
Gina
One minute the little sister is a psycho/bitch/slut, the next a little girl described as beautiful with flawless skin and cuddling with her mom. And how would such a 13 year old daughter of one of the richest women in town be so into drugs and sex and have NO ONE know or do anything about it? So implausible and out there. I felt like some of the story was added in for shock value. Shame on the editor. Also, there was zero character development of Alan. And the story line of Camille and Richard was unfulfilling, at best. There was really no resolution at the end of the story. Even for Camille - it was very weak. Makes you wonder about the writer's background and motives for the book.
Mike
"Ugliness" is the perfect word. I found this book to be very ugly. And I loved it. Such mean people, with horrible, ugly thoughts and actions - and they're all female. I'm a male, 36, and really found it hard to identify with the female main character. Is it because she is female, or because she is an unlikable, wretched mess? I don't know. Great book. Kinda upsetting.
Thomas Elliott
I never really thought about the pig farming, but the cutting definitely makes me cringe a little bit. I think it'd be more disturbing to see rather than to be described though, so we will see how they portray that in the upcoming TV series adaptation.
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