Full description not available
A**.
Tampa
You're going to have a problem with this book. That's just a fact. Putting puts you right in the head of a pedophile and the only way out is through.Based somewhat on real events, Tampa tells us the story of the aptly name Celeste, an eighth grade teacher obsessed with her underage male students.It's dark, it's very graphic. It's hard to read, it's short but will feel much longer. There are sense that are hard to get through. Nothing does not pull punches here at all. The POV she chose will not allow it. From the moment you start this book you are in the head of a psychopath as she hunts her prey.This is Lolita without the flowery beautiful prose. This is pure and raw. A female pedophile, whose thoughts must be on par with any male pedophile, reminds us that safety for us and or children is only an illusion.
E**N
Fascinating and Depraved
Giving this one 5 stars because of the outstanding writing and the fact that I laughed many times at THE most inappropriate places. The subject matter is truly vile but the writing really pops. A must-read."Ford, like the husbands of most women who marry for money, is far too old. Since I’m twenty-six myself, it’s true that he and I are close peers. But thirty-one is roughly seventeen years past my window of sexual interest."Yes, this is the voice of Celeste, the main protagonist of this fascinating novel. She is a teacher and a predator. She is also possibly a sociopath. She lives for each new school year, with a new crop of young boys, not quite even matured to late teenage-hood. She is a hebephiliac - she is sexually interested in pubescent (early adolescent) boys.However vile I found Celeste, I still loved this book. Be warned: there are graphic scenes between Celeste and her victims. But the dialogue and the social observations are crisp, sharp, unwavering and spot-on."There was something repulsive (and revealing) about talking on a cell phone while handling garbage. Why did anyone pretend human relationships had value?"I knew that this story would not end well but I just could to look away! 'Tampa' is a commentary on societal norms, the value of superficial beauty in our society and the inability of out of us to accept the truth even when it slaps us in the face.Celeste focuses her stalking skills on a young named Jack Patrick. She grooms his carefully: would he be likely to keep a secret? Living with his dad, he seems the perfect target."With a dull roar, the buses began rolling by and my eyes followed them like I was watching a shell game at a carnival: all of them looked identical, but one had a prize inside. Which bus was Jack’s?"'Tampa' has been on my TBR list forever and I am so glad I read it. Alissa Nutting is a brilliant and insightful writer. I loved her very depraved sense of humor. While the ending was a little too rushed for my tastes, this book is still unforgettable.
N**.
Very strange...
I read all the reviews before purchasing it and I remember when this book first came out and I was hesitant to read it. I thought to myself, what the heck I might as well! I wouldn't say that this book is horrific or repulsive but yeah, its gross at times. I read the whole book because I enjoyed the writing style but I have to say it was a strange read. I have definitely read more cringe-worthy books in the past and I wouldn't say this was one of the worst but the topic in and of itself is uncomfortable. It definitely reminded me of Lolita a bit (which I could not finish because THAT book made me so unbelievably uncomfortable). I just felt that the storyline took an odd turn at some point and the character started to take on a different form/personality that I didn't associate her with in the beginning. Overall, I wouldn't exactly say I would recommend this book but at the same time, it wasn't as awful as some of the reviews made it out to be. Just be prepared to find yourself feeling like mayyyybbeeeee you shouldnt be reading this around other people who could possibly look over your shoulder and get the wrong idea!
S**M
who is happy to trade a healthy sex life and marriage for ...
Celeste Price is a paedophile. Everything she does is calculated to progress her agenda. She has married a wealthy man, who is happy to trade a healthy sex life and marriage for parading his trophy wife on his arm for his friends. She chose a career, teaching, to place her wholly in front of the 14 year old boys she desires so much every day. She showers in the morning with them in mind. She dresses in the morning with them in mind. She structures her curriculum in such a way to bring up controversial subjects to test her targets. She weighs up the pros of one boy, (quiet, secretive, harder to groom) to another (easily persuaded but more likely to boast). She calculate the risk of walking down a corridor and being able to ass up gropes as accidental collisions. She breaks up fights with the sole purpose of getting between two boys for however short a time it will allow. She is consumed by her choice.We meet her as she begins at a new school and on her very first day she appraises her classes for her next target. Jack, a quiet 14 year old boy is quickly found. She wastes no time in isolating him and testing the waters for his likely compliance. They begin a 'relationship'. But the time is ticking already, almost before it even begins. Not only will Jack age but as she forces him into an adult relationship, she baulks when he treats it like an adult relationship - she doesn't want to say 'I love you', she doesn't want to think about future plans, she doesn't want demands made of her - and that's the curse of the choice she had made, what drives her to fufill her desires.Obviously, her carefully laid plans start to fall apart. It's inevitable and in some ways, it's surprising how quickly Celeste becomes bored after forcing events to her will. Is she entirely hateful? No, she's actually incredibly sad and pathetic.Nutting, it's quite remarkable, has managed to get so deeply into Celeste's character that I was both mesmerised and horrified. I was never completely disgusted by her nor never completely sympathetic. Celeste is not painted as the victim at all, but you can't help but feel that she is the damaged, sad one here.Yep, it's a controversial subject. Yes, it's stomach churning. Yes, it's well worth a read.
L**I
You know what I really quite enjoyed this one
You know what I really quite enjoyed this one, I found myself chuckling to myself in the staff room a fair amount. I don't think I found this book as disgusting as other people. I thought the sex scenes were fairly okay compared to other trash scenes I've read (*cough cough* fifty shades trash)I liked the details Nutting gets into, although sometimes it's far too graphic for some, I really enjoyed it.I think this one is a pretty good little read, for someone who wants to say they've read something controversial.
C**6
Disturbing, yet compelling...
A prescient reminder that monsters inhabit even outwardly beautiful forms. I'm not a mother, but if I had an adolescent son I would be terrified.Celeste is so singular and focused in her pursuits; no care for the blossoming humans she's defiling or the necessary husband she loathes, but needs as a veneer of respectability and normalcy. The woman's complete lack of impulse control, or the fact that she constantly inhabits a complete fantasy world that revolves around deviant sexual pursuits shows how deranged she is.The subject matter is more than a little disturbing, but this was written brilliantly and although it was about as comfortable as sitting on fire-ants I couldn't step away for long and devoured it in almost an entire sitting. I was chipping away at it before work, at lunchtime, while waiting for dinner to cook... Those poor boys... Their lives will never be the same after those encounters; despite their burgeoning hormones and bodies that are ripe for the experience, their undeveloped emotional maturity will undoubtedly suffer and their psyche's will forever be tainted.I can't stop thinking about this story and wondering how many monsters lurk in plain sight using their stellar looks to their advantage and others' detriment. Thought provoking stuff.
D**N
Different but I loved it
Sometimes when I can't decide which book to read I'll read the first page and decide which grabs my attention most. This did it, and it was great all the way through. Obviously gross and sick but I couldn't stop reading. After some research I found she based this from a real story at the time it's quite interesting.
M**A
Good
NYC good
Trustpilot
2 weeks ago
1 month ago