Bunny by Mona Awad (and the irony of dark academia)

[@hxnriette]

i also think the book felt so 2012 bc of the way the characters dress, think and text....they are essentially millenial tumblr girls from that era: the cute dresses with cartoony prints, the fake edgyness, the feminism that is not actually as empowering if you look closer, the soft grunge feel overall, the romanticized gore, even the alice in wonderland stuff!! :)

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Totally tumblr twee circa 2012. I think it was set on this time because that is probably when Awad was in graduate school (I’m not sure tho). Even when the brand of white feminism feels dated, we can still link it to current discourses on feminism and academia!

[@saramaccormack5475]

also less phone use

[@辻占エリ]

yeah especially the peter pan collars

[@Awesome_zuzu]

When I finished this book, I thought to myself “I think I’m too dumb to understand this” But this video was really insightful! Exactly what I needed

[@isabelsreadingroom]

We are not dumb! I think Awad did a better job with the open ending on her next novel than what she did in Bunny. And we are here to digest things anyways 💁🏽‍♀️ so im glad you found it insightful and hopefully will erase any ideas of you being the problem when reading a book. Sometimes things are not for everyone and that is also fine 💕 Sending you love

[@shahrazede3865]

This is the best review of Bunny I’ve seen so far! I picked up on the criticism of academia gatekeeping certain words, but I totally missed how the book critiques Warren’s obsession with the body, whilst being a book focused on the body! I love reviews like these because I feel like I’m re-reading the book a second time watching them ❤

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Aww thank you so much!

[@parkerandme6506]

I just finished this book and thought ‘What on earth have I just read?!’. I had some of my own thoughts and interpretations, this video really helped me to process those, thank you! I did wonder if Max and Samantha were the same person, like a split personality. I also considered whether Samantha had a mental illness, and was actually institutionalised - particularly because of Jonah’s character and their relationship. I still don’t know how to rate this one, very clever but some of it felt like it went over my head for sure!

[@isabelsreadingroom]

I think all of those could be argumented for this novel. Mona Awad is so special because her writing is exquisite but fluid. She always leaves us thinking, which I love! I am looking forward to her next novel !

[@ramsam70]

I just finished the book- it completely floored me, So unexpected and creative but I had to come see what reviews are saying. I wanted to make sure I understood what happened 😮 so strange and so interesting. I love your review and insights

[@isabelsreadingroom]

I totally agree! And even after months I sometimes think about it. Thanks for watching 🍁

[@sam_pvmind]

thank you for this eloquent review, I just finished the book and didn't know how to feel and think.

[@isabelsreadingroom]

You are welcome! Bunny is definitely made for discourse

[@NatalieSchur]

WOW! You are so smart. Thank you for this video - you helped me think more critically about the book.

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it and that I helped!

[@tweegerm]

The tongue-in-cheek hypocrisy was the most interesting thing to me about Bunny for sure. Even when talking about Bunny talking about pretension in academia, I end up sounding pretentious! It's funny how hard it is to actually tell insight from pseudo-intellectualism and performance when they use the same vocab at that level.

[@isabelsreadingroom]

I agree! Specially as someone in academia, that’s why I really love how Awad balances this critique with the maddening plot. It is hard to distinguish and to talk about it because these systems of power are built to be that trapping. I invite you to read Rouge by Awad if you like her style!

[@Ellier215]

Oh. That’s an interesting viewpoint.

[@carlib4341]

Great analysis! All of the points you made were spot on, and i enjoyed the way you presented them

[@isabelsreadingroom]

thank you! I'm glad you liked the video 💕 i hope to see you in the comment section again

[@stellasreadingagainohno]

you’re so smart! i didn’t make some of these connections. very interesting!

[@isabelsreadingroom]

This is what this space is for! While Bunny wasn’t a particular favorite of mine, it did made me think a lot on how intensional the confusion is in the story. Thanks for watching the video 🫶

[@autraxanh4299]

you're so smart and articulate 😭😭❤

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@totallyinteresting68]

This is such a great analysis!

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Thank you so much!

[@tobe4real]

Thanks did this, useful insights!

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Ellier215]

Oh girl… you are good!

[@Ellier215]

I appreciate the book more because of this video.

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words 🍁

[@ИванКалинин-к7в]

I read this in audio version. My level of the language is not so high, but I listened caughtiosly. As PhD in philology, I would say, it's nice book with interesting original idea, but my vocabulary does not permitted me to tell, is the novel is accomplished good or could be better.

[@isabelsreadingroom]

English is not my first language either, so I completely relate to your hesitant position, I think that due to the writing style and the atmosphere of the book, the plot is conveyed well. Some aspects are too blurry for my taste (and this is definitely not my favorite from the author), but I see why so many people praise it. It has its moments and it definitely leaves you thinking. Thanks for watching by the way!

[@irawelankar4639]

great review! i read some reviews on goodreads where they thought samantha was schizophrenic. i much prefer the cult magic route. thoughts?

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Could be both honestly. I feel it is supposed to be this open for all of us to create our own version. I’m inclined to believe the cult-magic route since the arguments against academia aligns them to cult like behavior and would make the story rounder. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@TattleDelta]

I'm Bunny for life ❤❤

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Hi Bunny and Hi Barbie are serving the same energy

[@saramaccormack5475]

is jonah an animal at the end?

[@isabelsreadingroom]

I think so, what do you think?

[@Ellier215]

I thought the ending was hopeful. But I didn’t understand the mention of mud.

[@luciamedina1O19]

Girl if you're gonna use a ring light, don't use glasses, please.

[@charmedbycass]

L

[@isabelsreadingroom]

Sorry but my apartment doesn't have good lighting in winter and I get so sick if I am not wearing my classes. However, if this disturbs you, you can always hear the video instead of watching (podcast mode), since there are not many things happening on screen anyways. Thanks for the feedback and for watching :)

[@mrlately]

just rude af