How to Be Eaten: A Novel

So many hidden, thought provoking revelations. All wrapped in a unique suspenseful story that keep you reading. Just read it.

I read this book in one day because I found it so compelling. I deeply enjoyed reading about each story and how the group came together over their shared, traumatic and fantastical experiences. I enjoyed the unanswered question of how real the magical aspect of their event happened as well, unable to tell what was real or a result of trauma influencing memory.

Well I found the individual stories interesting, this book lacked cohesion for me. It felt more like a collection of short stories only held together by a loose premise. There wasn't enough character growth for me for anyone and the ending was unsatisfactory for me. It's left open-ended on what happens next which left me feeling ripped off as a reader. What was the point of reading these stories if there wasn't a satisfying ending? Where's the comeuppance?

Definitely one of my favorites this year. Pulls together childhood stories and somehow relates them to each other with a interesting story line. Dialogue is beautiful and the twists were amazing.

I had a lot of fun reading this and trying to pull my memories from the fairy tales as I knew them while also trying to imagine the characters as present day women. You want to befriend them all and also read about other more commonly known fairy tale heroines at the same time. Definitely worth the read!

This novel has so many interesting women. The women reluctantly join a group to discuss their stories and try to tell their truth, not the medias version. An amazing first novel unlike any book I have ever read

This was certainly an unexpected summer read for my book club. I appreciate the modern take on fairytales as well as the twists and turns but I needed more. There were sprinkles of magical realism but not enough for a woman who loves that genre. All of the characters are severely flawed and I couldn't exactly root for anyone. Certainly unique and unlike anything I've read in recent memory.

The female characters are well written, one has low self-esteem, one is annoying, another oblivious, and all are victims who are finally controlling the narrative. It felt like the stories werent going much of anywhere at first, but then the characters and the reader slowly start to figure out what they all have in common. A refreshing retelling of old fairytales with a feminist twist. The ending is bittersweet, but I'd say the whole book is worth it.

Maria Adelmann's "How to Be Eaten" was both fascinating and disturbing. Which in my books (pun unintended) is a huge compliment. The plot was that memorable. Each character was well developed and I loved how she had incorporated certain societal/sub cultural references into the story. I am not going to ruin this review with spoilers. Read it. Even if you love or hate it, it will certainly pull you down the rabbit hole.

This is brilliantly written and explores six different tales told by women in what they believe is a trial for a new type of group therapy based on story telling. A compelling modern twist on traditional fairy tales in a way that brings home issues women face in todays western culture. A riveting read that flows beautifully. Thoroughly recommend!