I don't know how to feel.

It's a super fast read for one, which I like. It's nice to be able to seamlessly read along and there's not a lot of books that pretty much entirely let you do that.

I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place because it introduced a lot of great characters and situations, but the depth was nearly nonexistent.

First, the dialogue. It reads really fast but it's also very choppy and leaves a lot to be desired. A lot of the depth in pretty much every character is almost nonexistent, I still couldn't tell you what any of them are motivated by.

The first half was better than the second, I didn't love the Missouri portion. Claude's desires are never explained or discussed, he just seems vaguely miserable the entire time.

This is screaming postmodernism, which is probably part of the reason for me not necessarily loving it. I kind of crave a message or meaning or some time of ending, otherwise it just seems like nothing happened.

I'd say it's like a 3.5 stars?

mixed feelings - i think that a lot of the pop culture references were lost on me since author is gen X and i'm Z

ok tbh the problem w this one is leeds. he sucks, and he was just using his girlfriends body in the most depraved way.

i feel bad for sable. she deserved better.

however, concept was very intriguing.

i really liked the setting and reading a romance w a non-binary character. their romance is sweet.

however, i was bored a lot. i don't think i meshed well with the writing style

2.5 stars. idk why i picked up another sally rooney book when i disliked normal people so much. another author that leans heavily on postmodernism - which is fine but the directionless narrative drives me bonks. i feel like i just wasted 4-5 hours of my life being bored and getting nowhere.

morally grey characters who are dreadfully boring and do nothing.

gas

DNF at about 20%. my first DNF! i was so so so confused because it seemed like none of the world building was happening and judging from the goodreads reviews i wasn't alone in feeling that way. i'm sad because the premise was very promising