Who Would Like This Book:
This book is for fans of dark, twisted, character-driven fiction with a razor-sharp sense of humor - think American Psycho or Ottessa Moshfegh, but with a British, feminist, grunge twist. Irina, the unapologetically messy protagonist, leads you through the gritty art world and her own chaotic, unreliable perspective. If you crave stories about complicated, morally gray women that don't pull any punches, and can handle heavy content and wild plot turns, Boy Parts is sure to keep you transfixed (and possibly a little unsettled). Art school grads, lovers of dark comedy, and anyone who enjoys dissecting the psyche of a truly complex antiheroine will find a lot to chew on.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers bounced off the graphic content, extreme trigger warnings (including animal harm, abuse, and self-destruction), or simply found Irina too alienating, narcissistic, and unredeemable to root for. If you prefer more likeable characters, clear morals, or don't enjoy unreliable narrators, this could be a frustrating or even upsetting experience. A few found the writing style off-putting - sometimes feeling Reddit-esque or trying too hard to be edgy. It’s definitely not for anyone looking for a light, comforting, or conventionally uplifting read.
About:
'Boy Parts' by Eliza Clark is a darkly comic novel that follows the protagonist, Irina, a photographer in her late twenties who takes explicit photos of random men in Newcastle. The book delves into Irina's downward spiral as she immerses herself in photography, drugs, alcohol, and self-destruction. The narrative explores Irina's relationships, her grip on reality, and her constant spirals and blackouts, all while integrating texts, emails, and blog entries to portray how people react to her and how she interprets their words. The writing style is intense, sometimes violent, and sometimes strange, with a strong voice that brings out the intriguing and complex character of Irina.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include animal abuse, sexual violence, emotional abuse, eating disorders, drug addiction, and depictions of murder.
From The Publisher:
'Hallucinogenic, electric and sharp, Boy Parts is a whirlwind exploration of gender, class and power.'
- Jessica Andrews
Irina obsessively takes explicit photographs of the average-looking men she persuades to model for her, scouted from the streets of Newcastle.
Placed on sabbatical from her dead-end bar job, she is offered an exhibition at a fashionable London gallery, promising to revive her career in the art world and offering an escape from her rut of drugs, alcohol, and extreme cinema. The news triggers a self-destructive tailspin, centred around Irina's relationship with her obsessive best-friend, and a shy young man from her local supermarket who has attracted her attention….
Boy Parts is the incendiary debut novel from Eliza Clark, a pitch-black comedy both shocking and hilarious, fearlessly exploring the taboo regions of sexuality and gender roles in the twenty-first century.
Ratings (90)
Incredible (20) | |
Loved It (40) | |
Liked It (12) | |
It Was OK (11) | |
Did Not Like (6) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (339):
Read It (95) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (200) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (39) |
5 comment(s)
It is a wild ride of a book. The entire time you left wondering is she capable of murder or is she just a dark artist.
7.5/10
Audiobook
literary hedonism just doesn't work for me. like it's well written, but.
Unlikeable and unhinged women seems to be my new favorite throne. Dark story but hard to out down and oddly intruiging reading trough her perspective.
I thought this would be more mature like Otessa Moshfegh. The characters listen to music from late 2016 and the writing is subpar, not my cup of tea
What can you read after
Boy Parts?
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