WARNING: FEELINGS! This book impacted me so deeply because I am Jean. I didn’t have an affair with a professor, but I was taken advantage of by a friend. It directly lead to a mental health crisis that got me kicked out of school and ended my scholarship for an intensive classics program that produced the best of the best.

Langbein penned this eloquent, humorous, and poignant novel that is not only my story, but also the story of so many others. The final argument in Dear Monica Lewinsky is that solidarity brings both power and comfort. We must not silence ourselves or our comrades as they fight for justice. This is how we can make a difference.

Jean, the main character, is incredibly compelling. She did not want to shirk responsibility for her own missteps. However, Saint Monica, a representation of the women who paved the way before us, gives a different perspective. Saint Monica shows the necessary balance of personal responsibility and holding others accountable.

I’m thankful that I live during a time where I can read Dear Monica Lewinsky. It deeply impacted, healed, revitalized, and encouraged me.

3.25 stars: Lute was an interesting book. It was full of dread-based horror and it edged readers with fantastical elements.

The setting of the remote island, Lute, during a future world war had so much potential. Rather than delving into this fascinating world, Thorne briefly mentioned aspects of the setting. If this were a historical fiction novel set during World War II, for example, an author can be more relaxed with the setting because the average reader should be familiar with it. However, Lute is set in a time and place unknown to readers, so Thorne owed more effort into enriching the setting.

I felt similarly about the island’s lore. The lack of information didn’t feel mysterious. Instead, it felt unfinished. The characters had interesting features, but they were underdeveloped as well.

While Lute was a fascinating idea, it was executed blandly.

Julie Chan is a terrible actress and a permanent victim. I could barely stand to keep reading about her at times. It was because of my deep hatred of Julie that I liked this book so much.

Zhang’s novel was a true delight. It was filled with tangibly awkward moments and gut-wrenching bad decisions. As I was watched Julie be a chaotic idiot, I felt like she was my own friend that I needed to talk down. Fortunately, I have a lot of experience with crazy.

The cult aspect also added a fun layer. Many of us like to think the elite keep their statuses because of dark right. This speculation made Zhang’s novel mysterious in a culturally present way. I think the mixed reviews for this are the product of having an unlikeable main character.