Further proof that an obsession with Lana del Rey will ruin your life.

Truly a tantalizing read! The writing is smooth and descriptive. The characters are sharp and raw. The plot balances between shocking extravagance and meandering exploration, and it always has a point to make. The themes of beauty, youth, intimacy, and guilt are explored in a way that felt very honest to me. Agnes isn't a perfect character, but she feels so real to me, with all of her self-centeredness and self-consciousness and human flaws. 

To me, this book fall perfectly into the sub-genre of literary fiction that I adore. It is a coming-of-age novel with a razor-sharp focus and a taste for luxury.