55 pages • 1 hour read
Rouge: A Novel
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Book Brief
384
Novel • Fiction
California • Contemporary
2023
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Rouge by Mona Awad, Mira Nour, a skincare-obsessed woman, travels from Montreal to California after her mother's mysterious death and becomes entangled with a magical spa her mother frequented, which promises beauty but has sinister consequences. The novel explores how self-esteem, secrets, grief, and childhood experiences shape identity while critiquing the beauty industry. The book includes themes of drowning, mental health struggles, and grief.
Dark
Mysterious
Unnerving
Fantastical
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mona Awad's Rouge has garnered praise for its lyrical prose and compelling exploration of identity and beauty. Readers appreciate the rich, atmospheric world Awad creates, though some critique it for a slow narrative pace. Overall, it is lauded for its imaginative storytelling and emotional depth, appealing to fans of literary fiction with a gothic twist.
Who Should Read Rouge?
Rouge by Mona Awad captivates readers who relish dark, atmospheric tales blending the surreal with psychological depth. Fans of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath will appreciate its complex characters and eerie, introspective narrative, making it ideal for those drawn to gothic and literary fiction.
Seth (Tom Cruise)
Seth (Tom Cruise)
The antagonist who appears as a version of Tom Cruise and works for Rouge. He has a manipulative presence and a complex dynamic with Mira.
Noelle Des Jardins
Noelle Des Jardins
Mira's mother, a beautiful and complex character who comes from a French background and influences Mira's life through her memories.
Hud Hudson
Hud Hudson
A private investigator with a personal connection to Rouge, marked by his determined nature and a notable scar. He develops a significant relationship with Mira.
Sylvia
Sylvia
Noelle's former business partner, depicted as both caring and intrusive. She eventually plays a supportive role in Mira's life.
The Woman in Red
The Woman in Red
A leader at Rouge, characterized by her beauty and red hair. She maintains an enigmatic and manipulative presence.
384
Novel • Fiction
California • Contemporary
2023
Adult
18+ years
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