Patricia Wants to Cuddle
Ratings38
Average rating3.6
I came for a fun, dark queer romp about a violent she-ape and got half an okay book that devolved into smug nonsense with a weirdly ecofascist undertone. The writing is choppy, less than half the jokes land, every beat gets dragged out too long, and looking back it feels stapled together. The moralizing logic of the 80s slasher is alive and well here. As a gross hairy queer myself I thought I'd like Patricia but she gets so little development compared to her kills that by the end I was like, they should've shot that god damn ape.
Two stars for the concept and for the heart it showed in about the first half - and in some very sweet love letters - before its mean streak took over. And because it was quick.
Also: don't be led astray by reviewers acting like this is super zany. There's one crazy surreal thing in here and it's on the cover. Which is cool, but like, I was expecting a lot weirder from the reviews.
I found this novel on a few "recommended reads" lists and I'm glad I picked it up. It's a relatively quick read which kept me engaged throughout. Although I don't watch "reality" shows like "The Bachelor" I easily understood the way the show in the book -- "The Catch" -- worked. I liked how the story was told, chapter by chapter, with the focus on the different characters. The "excerpts" from the on-line discussions, journals and love letters added to the plot development. The mystery of the story wasn't deep, nor was the horror of it too intense. There's a few gory descriptions of carnage, but even these are brief and more for atmosphere than for shock and horror. I smiled when the meaning of the title is revealed near the end - especially since none of the characters (whom the chapters are named after) have the name "Patricia." An enjoyable read which celebrates the beauty of nature and a range of ways to love!
Book Review: Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen is a pulse-pounding and viciously funny fiction debut that takes readers on a whirlwind romp through the absurdity of reality television and contemporary American media culture. With its original and campy plot, well-developed characters, and witty writing, this book is an entertaining read from start to finish.
The story revolves around the contestants of a reality television dating show called The Catch. As the final four women arrive on a mysterious island in the Pacific Northwest, they expect another week filled with sleep deprivation, invasive interviews, and salacious drama. Each woman has her own motivations for being on the show, ranging from brand sponsorships to finding love. Amidst the chaos, Patricia, a temperamental and misunderstood local, watches from the shadows, yearning for a connection of her own.
One of the strengths of this novel is its well-paced narrative. Allen keeps readers engaged with a fast-paced plot that careens towards a last-girl-standing conclusion. The author skillfully combines elements of romance, suspense, and humor, creating an enjoyable reading experience. The writing style is fantastic, and the author's ability to inject wit and humor into the story adds an extra layer of entertainment.
The characters in Patricia Wants to Cuddle are another highlight. They are well-developed and intriguing, capturing the reader's attention from the start. Patricia herself is a specter hiding and observing the spectacle that is the reality show “THE CATCH”. Additionally, the chosen family of misfit islanders who forge a community against all odds adds extra depth to the narrative.
One minor criticism is that the book could have delved deeper into Patricia's backstory and the lives of the island residents. While the focus on the reality show and its contestants is entertaining, more exploration of Patricia's character and her relationship with the island would have enhanced the overall reading experience.
In conclusion, Patricia Wants to Cuddle is an entertaining and engaging novel that satirizes reality television and media culture while also exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and community. Samantha Allen's writing is witty and humorous, making this book a page-turner that is difficult to put down. Despite some missed opportunities to delve deeper into certain aspects of the story, this novel is a highly enjoyable read for those looking for an original and campy tale.
ARC Via NetGalley
This was weird. And it actually might have benefitted from some more exposition towards the end, or for me at least. It felt like a really long short story so I feel like it could have used a little more juice to turn it into a perfectly sized novel.
What a weird book. I was in the mood for a little bit of “horror-lite” and this definitely served that up - mostly just moments of creepiness in the first half until ish takes a TURN in the second. I suppose it could be considered gory, but Allen is not overly graphic in her descriptions of body horror, and for that I thank her!
Plus, it turns the “final girl” trope on its head in a very pleasing way.
If you like The Bachelor – knowing that basically none of the people on this fictional show are “there for the right reasons” – and like the idea of skewering influencer culture, plus murder/missing women on a remote island where most of the inhabitants appear to be lesbians, and also there's a Bigfoot ... whew it's a lot but maybe this is for you! I enjoyed reading it, though at the end I still couldn't quite muster up much beyond “what a weird book.” 3.5 stars.
this was such a delightful little horror-comedy-reality-tv-satire. i recommend going in as cold as possible because i think i would have enjoyed the ending even more if i hadn't had an inkling of what was coming.
Captivating in the best way; I was off-center and engaged the whole time, waiting to see how this speeding train was going to go off the rails. A big plus that the writing in empathetic to all of the characters, except perhaps the Catch himself. Utterly weird and charming, I cannot recommend this highly enough.
Just kind of... eh. The split POVs mean you spend a lot of time with people who exist to die, and the last minute attempts to humanize them before they are brutally murdered. The plot is telegraphed really strongly before it kicks off, and it takes a looong time to kick off. I can't tell if this book is an indictment of... what, consumer culture? Reality TV? It fails as both.
This book fluttered it's way into my life somehow and I am still not sure how it managed to get here. It's not a book I would have searched out necessarily and it's definitely not TOTALLY aligned with my reading tastes but there it sat and I was instantly drawn to it.
First and foremost. The cover. Brilliant. Beyond Brilliant. It tells the story, fits the story and instantly makes you want to read this book.
The contents inside. Fun. This is classified as a horror novel and there are for sure horrific things that happen but overall the story is fun and it unfolds in a smart, snarky and silly way. The setting is the backdrop of a reality dating show called The Catch and the final 4 contestants are about to go on a trip with their eligible bachelor and when they finally reach Otter's Island in the Pacific Northwest something strange starts to happen.
All of their petty dramas and their infighting actually build to a huge crescendo that lays the ground work for the horror to come. They all settle neatly into roles and of the entire crew, only about one of them is likable (but there's a point to that, I promise.)
I don't want to say anymore because I don't want to spoil anything for you. If you are looking for a frothy and fun horror book, this is for you. If you are a huge fan of reality dating shows and maybe some Bigfoot documentaries, this book is for you.
What it's like:
The Bachelor meets Harry and the Hendersons
Love and First Sight meets Animal Attacks
Unreal meets American Horror Stories
Overall I enjoyed this immensely. It was such a good time. My only complaint is that it went by too fast. It wasn't long enough and I wanted more from the story. I loved what I read I just felt you could have continued to tell the story for another 100-200 pages. I wanted more of this. Truly. I wanted to keep turning the pages. Maybe if this book is successful the author will give us some prequel story or at the very least let us know what happened to Patricia and the women of Otter Island.
Book Grades:
Plot Development and Pacing - 100/100
Character Development - 90/100
Theme and Subject Matter - 95/100
Writing Style - 100/100
Reader Engagement - 100/100
Overal Grade: 97% - A+ OR 4.5/5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: 6/28/22