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A review by bookedbymadeline
My Nemesis by Charmaine Craig
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for the eARC.
Absolutely obsessed with this book! Beautiful writing style and I was immediately gripped. At times it was difficult to understand what was being said because of the philosophical quotes and conversations. It’s focus on philosophical discussions and elitist intellectualism; at first it was going over my head but I was also enthralled and didn’t want to put it down! I devoured this book and liked it more than I normally would for a literary fiction novel.
Absolutely obsessed with this book! Beautiful writing style and I was immediately gripped. At times it was difficult to understand what was being said because of the philosophical quotes and conversations. It’s focus on philosophical discussions and elitist intellectualism; at first it was going over my head but I was also enthralled and didn’t want to put it down! I devoured this book and liked it more than I normally would for a literary fiction novel.
It made me stop and think about the ideas being presented. Some of the topics discussed include defining femininity, motherhood, marriage, philosophy, connection, privilege, and feminism.
The narrator, Tessa, is unlikeable and unreliable as she retells the story of the past. It felt like she was talking directly to me as the reader! I liked most of the characters, although Tessa was unlikeable it was in a way that was both fascinating and frustrating. Luckily we got to see some character development of Tessa so she was more complex, making her not completely unlikeable.
It felt like she had a lot of internalized misogyny where she was constantly competing with her daughter and Wah, trying to feel superior to them and as if everything they said/did was an “attack” on her. There’s some tension between Wah and Tessa as they’re completely opposite from one another. Tessa is a egocentric, career-focused, self-proclaimed feminist who is very distanced from her adult daughter. While Wah is very close and connected to her daughter and appears happy to focus on the domestic side of her life. Tessa constantly feels the need to prove herself and at times acts as if Wah’s way of being a “traditional wife and mother” is somehow lesser.
The narrator, Tessa, is unlikeable and unreliable as she retells the story of the past. It felt like she was talking directly to me as the reader! I liked most of the characters, although Tessa was unlikeable it was in a way that was both fascinating and frustrating. Luckily we got to see some character development of Tessa so she was more complex, making her not completely unlikeable.
It felt like she had a lot of internalized misogyny where she was constantly competing with her daughter and Wah, trying to feel superior to them and as if everything they said/did was an “attack” on her. There’s some tension between Wah and Tessa as they’re completely opposite from one another. Tessa is a egocentric, career-focused, self-proclaimed feminist who is very distanced from her adult daughter. While Wah is very close and connected to her daughter and appears happy to focus on the domestic side of her life. Tessa constantly feels the need to prove herself and at times acts as if Wah’s way of being a “traditional wife and mother” is somehow lesser.
The one character I couldn’t get myself to like at all was Charlie. He doesn’t really take actions to change his life, playing the victim, and treats Wah horribly. And many of his philosophical discussions go to extremes of hiding his opinions behind playing devils advocate, and just being straight up misogynistic while acting as if he’s not😳
The cover is stunning and I would like to eventually buy a physical copy to add to my shelves! Partially for the cover alone but also because I have so many passages highlighted and annotated in my ebook edition; and I NEVER write notes in my kindle books so that’s when you know I’m seriously obsessed 😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, and Trafficking
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Infertility, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury