Plot Summary

Only Ever Yours

Louise O'Neill
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Only Ever Yours

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2014

Book Brief

Louise O'Neill

Only Ever Yours

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2014
Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Near Future • Dystopian Society

Publication Year

2014

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill portrays a dystopian world where girls, bred in laboratories, are trained to please men and secure a place as their "companion." The novel follows freida and her best friend, isabel, as they navigate their final year at a grooming school, competing against their peers, notably megan, to be chosen by elite boys for marriage while struggling with appearance-based rankings and societal pressures. The narrative includes subjects such as self-esteem issues, sexual dynamics, and disordered eating.

Dark

Unnerving

Mysterious

Melancholic

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

3.8

19,949 ratings

64%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill is lauded for its exploration of societal pressures on women, stunning readers with its dystopian narrative and compelling characters. However, some criticize its intense darkness and stark despair, claiming it can be overwhelmingly bleak. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and powerful read, though it may not suit everyone due to its heavy themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Only Ever Yours?

A reader who would enjoy Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill is likely a fan of dystopian fiction with a feminist twist. Comparable to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid’s Tale and Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, this novel appeals to those intrigued by societal critique, gender issues, and gripping, thought-provoking narratives.

3.8

19,949 ratings

64%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Near Future • Dystopian Society

Publication Year

2014

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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