Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. I think Nutting was trying really hard to create a character in the tradition of Patrick Bateman but, instead, she created a ridiculous caricature. This subject matter has been handled much more successfully in books such as WHAT WAS SHE THINKING? by Zoe Heller, KINGDOM OF CHILDHOOD by Rebecca Coleman, and even LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov. Heller and Coleman gave their characters depth and complexity. Nutting's character was a cardboard cutout. Not only was she unbelievable but readers must have a huge suspension of disbelief to believe that not one single person saw any signs into the true nature of her character. As I worked my way through the story, I found that it got incredibly tedious. While the subject matter is certainly distasteful and disturbing, I think Nutting relied too heavily on shock value to give her book any impact. I think many people who enjoyed this book were probably drawn in by what they saw as the author's clever handling of a difficult subject. However, these same people may not have encountered this same subject matter handled much more deftly in other books. My issue is not a knee-jerk reaction to the subject matter but more a reaction to what I think is inadequate writing. I simply don't believe you should be given kudos just because you chose a controversial topic. Overall, a pretty disappointing offering.