Plot Summary

My Absolute Darling

Gabriel Tallent
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My Absolute Darling

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017

Book Brief

Gabriel Tallent

My Absolute Darling

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017
Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Northern California • 2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

920L

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Super Short Summary

My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent follows fourteen-year-old Turtle Alveston, who endures and eventually recognizes the extreme abuse inflicted by her father, Martin, a paranoid survivalist. Turtle's journey toward self-discovery and empowerment is catalyzed by new friendships and her growing awareness of her need to escape her father's control. This book contains depictions of sexual and psychological abuse.

Dark

Unnerving

Suspenseful

Challenging

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.8

60,471 ratings

61%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Gabriel Tallent’s My Absolute Darling is a gripping debut lauded for its powerful prose and intense character development, particularly the protagonist, Turtle. The novel’s depiction of abuse and survival is raw and compelling, though some critics find its violence overwhelming. Despite this, its emotional depth and authentic voice have earned widespread acclaim.

Who should read this

Who Should Read My Absolute Darling?

Readers who appreciate gritty, emotional narratives exploring survival, trauma, and resilience would be captivated by My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent. Fans of A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara or Room by Emma Donoghue will find its intense, immersive storytelling and complex character development particularly compelling.

3.8

60,471 ratings

61%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

17%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Northern California • 2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

920L

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