My Thoughts:
Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 enthralling trainwreck stars to Social Creature! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Social Creature is a total trainwreck of a read, and I mean this in the best possible way. Yes, it is absolutely addictive, and because of that, I could not stop reading. More on that in a bit.
Louise is quiet, introverted, and mousy. When she meets over-the-top socialite and party animal, Lavinia, her life takes an intense and even toxic turn. The two become fast friends, and the story turns dark really, really fast.
The less you know about the rest of the story before reading, the better, because a big part of this story is its shock value. That’s where the trainwreck comes back into play. You just cannot stop reading.
Please be warned: if you need likable characters, you will not find them here. If you need an uplifting read, this is most definitely not it. For this one, you need to have the want to be entertained, and a completely open mind, while also not being afraid of “dark.” Not dark in the scary way, but dark in the gritty, shock value way.
For me, I consider this an escape read because I was completely transported to this dark place and totally forgot about what was happening around me. It was that absorbing.
Social Creature would make an excellent movie. I would love to see this bizarre tale unfold visually, and if matches how my mind imagined it.
Thank you to Tara Isabella Burton, Doubleday, and Netgalley for the ARC. Social Creature publishes on June 5, 2018!
Synopsis:
For readers of Gillian Flynn and Donna Tartt, a dark, propulsive and addictive debut thriller, splashed with all the glitz and glitter of New York City.
They go through both bottles of champagne right there on the High Line, with nothing but the stars over them… They drink and Lavinia tells Louise about all the places they will go together, when they finish their stories, when they are both great writers-to Paris and to Rome and to Trieste…
Lavinia will never go. She is going to die soon.
Louise has nothing. Lavinia has everything. After a chance encounter, the two spiral into an intimate, intense, and possibly toxic friendship. A Talented Mr. Ripley for the digital age, this seductive story takes a classic tale of obsession and makes it irresistibly new.
Great review. Hm.. I’m dying for a light read that let’s me sleep at night but .. still.. this sounds intriguing. See why I don’t sleep much?
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Thanks, Joanell! 😂 If you want a lighter read, maybe try When Life Gives You Lululemons or a rom com? Not too much concentration required, and you can get some rest!
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Love you caveats in this write-up…
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Thanks, Paul! I hope they were helpful!
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*your
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Always enjoy your reviews – partly because the material falls outside my core genre and partly because you cut so quickly to observations that really capture my interest. Thank you. Brian
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Thank you again for your kind words, Brian. You made my day! Sometimes I think my reviews are too succinct, but I write in a technical style for work that is very different… so I probably do cut to the chase pretty fast!
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BTW – you were spot on right about Miss Subways. I’m about halfway through and don’t want to put it down. It was a challenge to go to work this morning. I just wanted to read on. 😀
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It’s a quirky read so I don’t think it’ll be a universally-loved book, but I’m so happy you are enjoying it! Thanks for letting me know!
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Taking this book with me to NY for our daughter’s wedding. Sounds like a good one but stange. Great review.
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Yes, it’s very different, Marialyce! I’m excited for your thoughts on it!
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Great review! I loved this book! It’s dark, manic, twisted but oh so good in a wicked way.
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Thank you, Abby! Yes, it was definitely all those things! Happy you loved it too!
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Gorgeous picture. I have not read this thriller. Love your reviews.
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Thank you so much! 💓💖
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Great review Jennifer! I have a feeling, I won’t like this one, but I am super curious!
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Thanks, Holls! It is definitely a different type of read!
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Ha ha!! The GOOD kind of train wreck!! 😂😂🍻
I absolutely LOATHE Gillian Flynn… I just can’t do the “unreliable narrator” sort of thriller anymore. I am intrigued by the “dark for shock value” though… I’ll have to think on this one. Thanks for a great review and giving me something to think about!! 💖🥂
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Thank you! It’s a very different read! Definitely one to think on! ♥️
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