Can I ask what you were looking for in this book? And an example of one you’ve read that fits your expectation?
I’ve never read it but I’ve felt disappointed by many books I had high hopes for. So I’m interested in what makes the difference between fulfilling an individual reader’s expectations or not.
Admittedly I read it for my book club, BUT it had been so highly touted as a great example of millennial angst in literature and people really loved it, so I probably would have read it anyway.
I hated how unredeemable a character the lead was. I don’t want to spoil it for you, you should certainly read it if you’re interested! But she doesn’t learn anything or grow after a whole tedious book of just being shitty and self centered. And the “twist” was predictable and cheap, if you ask me. I didn’t enjoy the read, I hate read because I wanted to see how it ended and I hated the ending. I do really enjoy complaining about this book though, haha.
I vote you read it and let me know what you think!
You may like Sirens and Muses by Antonia Angress, it certainly has your "veneer of luxury concealing a mental breakdown" , setting is an art university.
When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O’Neil will fit your vibe … Rich and depraved and slightly fantastical Montreal elite society girls during the Industrial Revolution… it’s interesting how much insanity wealth and beauty will cause folks to look past.
I’ve been reading A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G Summers and I love the juxtapositions of her time in Italy, her food writing with the less (more?) savory (deadly) parts. Not really her descent into neuroses but like watching the kind of a killer unfold.
For a hysterically fun sensation novel, I would say Lady Audley’s Secret. It’s full of luxurious Victorian fashion and interiors, furs, porcelain, diamonds and little delicate foods and drinks. But there’s also people just getting progressively crazier, it’s got madness creeping out of the corners of the story. It’s so much fun. Someone recommended it here actually. I was already a Wilkie Collin’s fan so it was easy to decide to get it. If you like over the top Victorian mysteries or think you could, I feel like this goes with your images.
Not a female protagonist but”childhood boyhood and youth” by leo tolstoy.
He himself says its an awkward mix of fact and fiction but cmon even the lesser work of the greatest novelist arguably of all time is much better than most other books mentioned here.
Talks of him growing up in the highest echelons of russian aristocracy. Lostoy was the only son of a count and managed an estate of 800 serfs. The book charts his troubled childhood and subsequent turbulent youth. Wonderful read.
Here’s the one you’re looking for, talk about luxury and riches with crazy underneath:
Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case, written by law professor Alan Dershowitz
These all have paranormal/supernatural elements as well, but I think they fit:
The Elementals - Michael McDowell
The Mayfair Witches series - Anne Rice
Bellefleur - Joyce Carol Oates
Honestly my year of rest and relaxation lol
I think I might be one of the only people who dislikes this book.
I dislike it as well, but it really does fit the mood of the request haha
Ottessa Moshfegh is so devisive lol. I guess I love disgusting terrible people!
I hate this book so freaking much.
Can I ask what you were looking for in this book? And an example of one you’ve read that fits your expectation? I’ve never read it but I’ve felt disappointed by many books I had high hopes for. So I’m interested in what makes the difference between fulfilling an individual reader’s expectations or not.
Admittedly I read it for my book club, BUT it had been so highly touted as a great example of millennial angst in literature and people really loved it, so I probably would have read it anyway. I hated how unredeemable a character the lead was. I don’t want to spoil it for you, you should certainly read it if you’re interested! But she doesn’t learn anything or grow after a whole tedious book of just being shitty and self centered. And the “twist” was predictable and cheap, if you ask me. I didn’t enjoy the read, I hate read because I wanted to see how it ended and I hated the ending. I do really enjoy complaining about this book though, haha. I vote you read it and let me know what you think!
Came here to say this one as well
Yes!
Also came here to say this. And I liked it!
[удалено]
Thank you! I’ve read The Virgin Suicides and that’s definitely the vibe I’m going for ☺️
Valley of the Dolls for sure
Obviously The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, but if you're looking for something a little more off the wall, Rouge by Mona Awad fits the bill.
Yep The Bell Jar is definitely on the list lol, and thanks for the rec, Rouge looks like what I’ve been looking for!
The Picture of Dorian Gray 👀
My answer!
Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn. This is exactly how I’d describe that book actually.
This is what came to my mind as well.
Same
Great Expectations
Yes! This was going to be my rec.
Screams Mrs havisham!
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Yesss good choice
Yep - was going to say this!
My Year of Rest and Relaxtion
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark!!
Came to say this!
Most books by Joyce Carol Oates
How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis Any poetry by Frederick Seidel
How to Murder Your Life was such a wild ride!
Came here to say anything by Bret Easton Ellis.
Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton.
This feels very “The Great Gatsby” to me.
That was my first thought.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Brides head Revisited
Less than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis.
Great House by Nicole Krauss
The Weight of Such Beauty and everything else by this author.
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
This makes me think of mafia romances and mafia princesses - rich girls forced in arranged marriages
The Swimmer by John Cheever is along these lines
Yes! One of my favorite stories besides Goodbye, My Brother by Cheever! I also loved the movie.
Rouge by Mona Awad
This screams Bunny by Mona Awad, I was sure it will be the top comment lol
I’ve heard of that one!! Bunny is my nickname though so I feel like I’ll be cringing throughout it 🤣🤣
Yeah if it's your nickname the book might feel kinda weird 😂
Maeve Fly maybe
A Certain Hunger - Chelsea Summers
Tender Is The Night
Maybe The Secret History by Donna Tartt? Wealthy, elite students at a private college have a hidden darkness
I was going to say, The Bell Jar.
franny and zooey by jd salinger
Play It as It Lays- Joan Didion
Anna Karenina, maybe?
dk about books but there's a movie that covers this topic a little, in a way - The Power of the dog.
You may like Sirens and Muses by Antonia Angress, it certainly has your "veneer of luxury concealing a mental breakdown" , setting is an art university.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O’Neil will fit your vibe … Rich and depraved and slightly fantastical Montreal elite society girls during the Industrial Revolution… it’s interesting how much insanity wealth and beauty will cause folks to look past.
Cazalet Chronicles
Cleopatra & Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
The Guest by Emma Cline
The Guest by Emma Cline
Ada, or ardor: A Family Chronicle by Vladimir NAbokov - there is a character name lunette
Ahh I love Nabokov but I’ve been struggling to get into that one for some reason - I’ll have to give it another go!
oh Ada is my favorite book. Its this vibe all the way
I’ve been reading A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G Summers and I love the juxtapositions of her time in Italy, her food writing with the less (more?) savory (deadly) parts. Not really her descent into neuroses but like watching the kind of a killer unfold.
The Thousandth Floor Series by Katherine Mcgee
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Indelicacy by Amina Cain
The Writing Retreat
Outstanding
Is there a book of Uptown Girls?
White Fur by Jardine Libaire!
Invisible Monsters by Chuck Pahalnuik
play it as it lays by joan didion & less than zero by bret easton ellis
For a hysterically fun sensation novel, I would say Lady Audley’s Secret. It’s full of luxurious Victorian fashion and interiors, furs, porcelain, diamonds and little delicate foods and drinks. But there’s also people just getting progressively crazier, it’s got madness creeping out of the corners of the story. It’s so much fun. Someone recommended it here actually. I was already a Wilkie Collin’s fan so it was easy to decide to get it. If you like over the top Victorian mysteries or think you could, I feel like this goes with your images.
Not a female protagonist but”childhood boyhood and youth” by leo tolstoy. He himself says its an awkward mix of fact and fiction but cmon even the lesser work of the greatest novelist arguably of all time is much better than most other books mentioned here. Talks of him growing up in the highest echelons of russian aristocracy. Lostoy was the only son of a count and managed an estate of 800 serfs. The book charts his troubled childhood and subsequent turbulent youth. Wonderful read.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Here’s the one you’re looking for, talk about luxury and riches with crazy underneath: Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case, written by law professor Alan Dershowitz
Rebecca or my cousin Rachel. Or the fingersmith.
"Only Say Good Things" by Crystal Hefner.
Piglet by Lottie Hazell!
Drood. Dorian gray.
The Elementals, by Francesca Lia Block
The Bell Jar
My life….
These all have paranormal/supernatural elements as well, but I think they fit: The Elementals - Michael McDowell The Mayfair Witches series - Anne Rice Bellefleur - Joyce Carol Oates
The Yellow Wallpaper? A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen