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Boy Parts

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'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.

Characters:

The characters, especially Irina, are depicted as deeply flawed and complex, illustrating various facets of toxicity and manipulation.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by dark humor and a conversational, sometimes chaotic tone that reflects the chaotic life of its protagonist.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows Irina, a troubled photographer whose actions challenge societal norms regarding power dynamics. It delves into her complex relationships, ultimately questioning the roles of victim and abuser.

Setting:

The setting in Newcastle enriches the narrative, reflecting the protagonist's troubled life and ambitions in a gritty art world.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick, but may slow down during introspective parts that delve into the protagonist's mental state.
When the bus pulls over, I wobble on my heels. I imagine going over on my ankle, the bone snapping and breaking the skin. I imagine taking a photo in A&E and sending it to Ryan; yikes, guess I can’t c...

Notes:

Boy Parts by Eliza Clark includes trigger warnings for sensitive topics like animal abuse, sexual violence, and mental health issues.
The book is often described as a darkly comedic take on femininity and toxic behavior, sometimes compared to American Psycho.
Irina, the protagonist, is an unreliable narrator, offering a deeply flawed perspective that engages readers in her chaotic life.
It explores the blurred lines between victimhood and perpetration, questioning societal norms around consent and power dynamics.
Eliza Clark is noted for her background as a working-class writer from Newcastle and has received recognition for her edgy storytelling style.
The book contains many art references and commentary on contemporary art culture, appealing to those familiar with art school life and extreme cinema.
Reviewers highlighted its humor and the feeling of discomfort while reading, often reflecting on their own experiences with toxic relationships.

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 (38)

Incredible (10)
Loved It (15)
Liked It (6)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (151):

Read It (37)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (97)
Not Interested (16)

2 comment(s)

Loved It
1 month

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.

 
Did Not Like
10 months

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

 
 
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