#allthebookreviews: Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton @doubledaybooks @notorioustib

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Social Creature

by Tara Isabella Burton

Thanks so much to Doubleday for these free copies in return for our honest reviews.

A creepy thriller that will have you questioning your friends.

Publisher: Doubleday

Publish Date: June 5, 2018

Hardcover

273 Pages

Standalone

Genre: Thriller

They go through both bottles of champagne right there on the High Line, with nothing but the stars over them... They drink and Lavinia tells Louise about all the places they will go together, when they finish their stories, when they are both great writers-to Paris and to Rome and to Trieste...

Lavinia will never go. She is going to die soon.

Louise has nothing. Lavinia has everything. After a chance encounter, the two spiral into an intimate, intense, and possibly toxic friendship. A Talented Mr. Ripley for the digital age, this seductive story takes a classic tale of obsession and makes it irresistibly new.

My Review:

First, let me say what a deliciously creepy book this is. Obsession, lying, conniving, compulsive... makes me question everyone around me! Second, I've seen TONS of comparisons of this to The Talented Mr. Ripley... which I saw the movie ages ago and never read the book so while I can see how it is, that kind of got lost on me in making any type of comparison myself (which I'm grateful for).

The writing style was a bit different than what I'm used to. Honestly, if I had to read Lavinia's name one more time, I was going to scream. In one paragraph alone, it was used ten times. I realize this was probably used to show just how crazy the obsession was and it definitely served its purpose.

This crazy story shows the spectrum of lifestyles in NYC - the posh, rich, spoiled girl who spends money like it is nothing - ultimately buying her friends who somehow end up falling under her spell; the poor, living paycheck to paycheck girl with low self esteem that just wants to be noticed. A chance encounter and the unstable relationship that ensues.

I absolutely loved the glitz and glamour and being able to know and vividly picture the various scenes around NYC. 😍 I recognized several places from the descriptions alone.

A different take on the obsession thriller that will have you cringing in the best way.

★★★☆

Jessica's Review:

I'll start out with saying that this is an incredibly unique read. Tara Isabella Burton has a very distinct literary voice, and I loved it. SOCIAL CREATURE will be one that I can see having some readers divided, but there is no doubt that Burton can write some messed up characters!

We follow a new friendship between Louise and Lavinia. These two couldn't be more opposite of each other - Lavinia is everything that Louise wants to be and wants to have. Louise has to work multiple jobs to support herself while Lavinia is from a wealthy family that makes it so she never has to worry about finances. Louise quickly gets sucked into the glamour of Lavinia's life - parties every night with NYC elite, lavish living, and not having a care in the world.

Of course, this friendship isn't all that it seems to be. Are there ulterior motives at play? Who is using who? One thing I loved from the synopsis was: "A Talented Mr. Ripley for the digital age, this seductive story takes a classic tale of obsession and makes it irresistibly new." Any other fans of TALENTED MR. RIPLEY?

This story does take obsession to a whole new level and keeps it unique and fresh. Like I mentioned before, Burton has a unique literary voice and I will definitely be looking for more from her in the future. If you want a twisty, original, and dark novel about obsession, then this is the next book for you!

I give this 5/5 stars!