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The book’s beginning is sexist on purpose. You should definitely read further.

I read the whole book.

Totally agree with you!! I don't understand the high ratings! I want my 20 bucks back too lol

I kept waiting for the story to turn into more of a feminist novel like people were saying, but it just never did.

You nailed it with this review. I read the book because of the cover - beautiful artwork, but Hendrix didn't write convincing women. Really a disappointment.

Yes! I loved the artwork. I ended up keeping my copy just because I think the cover is pretty.

Its satire...about stereotypical housewife ideals, race in the south and patriarchal society. What you hated about the book was literally the point of the book. It isnt something you're supposed to take literally, it's all massively inflated to the point of ridiculousness. Some people don't get satire, that's ok.

Lol! I understand satire perfectly. But when the author states he wanted to write “a powerful feminist novel�� and then does exactly the opposite, I have a problem with it. But that’s just my opinion. Don’t worry, you can have your opinion too 👍🏻

Totally agree! I was really looking forward to this book but the sexism+racism just made it excruciating. Expected more for a book published in 2020...

I don't think you understand satire, though. It's okay if you didn't like the book but its "racist" and "sexist" ...for a reason. Idk.

people defending this book by saying that "it's racist and sexist for a reason" are very confused and I feel sorry for them. Show me that reason, please. Where is it? I couldn't see it over the endless pages of LITERAL BLATANT SEXISM and wishy-washy "woman friendship". I doubt he's ever had women friends or seen them interact. This is definitely not it. Hard pass. Good thing I got the epub for free.

I agree with this review! If you’re going to say that this is a feminist book, with women kicking ass, but does the opposite, then don’t market as that. And people who defend this book, and saying otherwise, it just shows your true colour. I DNF this book, it was nothing that I had wanted.🤷🏻‍♀��

Totally agree with you on all points. If the author meant us to read more into this and see the satire than he categorically failed! To blame the reader for missing the point is ludicrous!

TOTALLY AGREE ALL ABOUT MALE EGO. What a waste! It totally sucked!!

Thank youuuuu! This is supposed to take place in the 90s not 1950 and when will people understand that women do not have to be sexually assaulted to move the plot along!

@Rinalda,

I have no problem with you disagreeing. I'm not even trying to change your mind, but you said "show me that reason" in reference to why the book is intentionally racist and sexist, so I'm merely responding to that.

Unfortunately, some people don't think sexism or racism ever existed or still exists at the scale people claim. But by blatantly showing the racism and sexism in such an obvious way, those people might start to wake up and see.

The whole thing is satire and the vampire is a metaphor for rich white men sucking the blood out of America. (I do want to note many rich white men and middle class men and poor men are amazing, but those who aren't have been very problematic for America).

The author intended for us to feel uncomfortable and to feel outraged at the way Carter treats Patricia, how easily the women are gas lighted, and how horrible the men and women treat Mrs. Greene and other POC.

It is in that outrage that we can see that there is a vampire in our society and some of us act just like the women, refusing to see it, and treating those who do see it like they're crazy and exaggerating.

It's social commentary mixed with a horror-based metaphor.

Yes, there are pages of literal blatant sexism, and the point is to get society to see it. That's what satire does. It isn't meant to be a literal interpretation. A literal interpretation would be that there isn't anything wrong with it. And a literal interpretation would mean since the author didn't have anyone outright criticize the behavior, the author must think it's ok. A satirical interpretation is that the book is meant to help us as a society wake up and see. See that this is very real to many women. See that some women dont have anyone in their society criticizing the husband for gaslighting. This is the real experience for some women and some POC: they are mistreated and no one criticizes the person doing the mistreating and often other join in. I'm lucky and have always been treated with respect and havent ever felt really mistreated for being a woman, but my story isn't everyone story.

Again, it is fine for you to have felt that the satire fell flat and didn't work for you. Your opinion is valid. I'm merely answering your call to show you the reason for the racism and sexism in the book.

Oh and the fact that Patricia has no self-esteem and that the women fall into their set role seemingly so willingly is also very telling. These women are weak a lot of the time. We think of a feminist book being about a bada@@ character and that is one such way to do it. But a feminist book can also be calling our attention to how poorly women can be treated and how it can affect them and leave them weak, feeling they have no choice but to do what society expects.

Yes! I completely agree with your review!

That was the entire point. It's satire. You're supposed to be angry. There are still parts of the south that act like the 1950s. My hometown was very sexist and southern so the experience felt pretty valid to me.

Okay Rachel I wanted to read this, now I have to just so that I can hate it with you LOL

Also hilarious that the above commenter thinks you don’t understand small town South

Annie!! Read it and let me know what you think. We can still be friends if you like it haha! Also, me? A girl raised in a SMALL town in the Deep South? Never, there’s no possible way I could understand it. lol