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A review by ribbenkast
The Harpy by Megan Hunter
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It's the world's most okay-est book, but I would not say it was worth the read. The book is short and quickly paced and I've underlined a few nice prose here and there, but overall nothing happened -- not even in the typical lit-fic sense.
The premise is simple, but can easily be made interesting: a man cheats on a woman, and she decides to stay with him. But if you're going to do that, give me a reason (this can be negative) she should stay. And I mean a reason story-wise, not a reason in defence of the husband.
This book did none of that, instead the spineless main character Lucy harms her wet-rag of a husband in the most literal, predictable and mundane ways and neither of them learn anything. In the beginning you ask yourself the question why she would stay with him, in the end that question isn't answered. Amp up the toxicity, weird co-dependance- the horror. Especially if you draw on the imagery of a harpy. Just give me something, please. Everything was wayyy too tame for its proposed subject matter and therefore it didn't get Its point across.
In the end I think it all boils down to: this wasn't weird enough and I think the author was either cowardis or deeply uncreative.
The premise is simple, but can easily be made interesting: a man cheats on a woman, and she decides to stay with him. But if you're going to do that, give me a reason (this can be negative) she should stay. And I mean a reason story-wise, not a reason in defence of the husband.
This book did none of that, instead the spineless main character Lucy harms her wet-rag of a husband in the most literal, predictable and mundane ways and neither of them learn anything. In the beginning you ask yourself the question why she would stay with him, in the end that question isn't answered. Amp up the toxicity, weird co-dependance- the horror. Especially if you draw on the imagery of a harpy. Just give me something, please. Everything was wayyy too tame for its proposed subject matter and therefore it didn't get Its point across.
In the end I think it all boils down to: this wasn't weird enough and I think the author was either cowardis or deeply uncreative.
Graphic: Domestic abuse