A young couple's toxic Instagram crush spins out of control and unleashes a sinister creature in this twisted, viciously funny, "bananas good" debut. (Carmen Maria Machado) "Um, holy shit...This novel will be the most fun you'll have this summer." —Emily Temple, Literary Hub Remy and Alicia, a couple of insecure service workers, are not particularly happy together. But they are bound by a shared obsession with Jen, a beautiful former co-worker of Remy’s who now seems to be following her bliss as a globe-trotting jewelry designer. In and outside the bedroom, Remy and Alicia's entire relationship revolves around fantasies of Jen, whose every Instagram caption, outfit, and new age mantra they know by heart. Imagine their confused excitement when they run into Jen, in the flesh, and she invites them on a surfing trip to the Hamptons with her wealthy boyfriend and their group. Once there, Remy and Alicia try (a little too hard) to fit into Jen’s exalted social circle, but violent desire and class resentment bubble beneath the surface of this beachside paradise, threatening to erupt. As small disturbances escalate into outright horror, we find ourselves tumbling with Remy and Alicia into an uncanny alternate reality, one shaped by their most unspeakable, deviant, and intoxicating fantasies. Is this what “self-actualization” looks like? Part millennial social comedy, part psychedelic horror, and all wildly entertaining, A Touch of Jen is a sly, unflinching examination of the hidden drives that lurk just outside the frame of our carefully curated selves.
Reviews with the most likes.
I haven't really delved into surreal literary horror like this before. Based off the blurb I saw this going one way and couldn't have seen where this was headed. I had a quick reaction of WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST READ so I am understanding more of the polarizing reviews.
I think this is an interesting book because I really wasn't rooting for anyone except Jake (the roommate). Remy and Alicia are obsessed with Jen, one of Remy's old coworkers. They turn on post notifications, look at Jen's photos together, and even incorporate Alicia-as-Jen into their sex life. Remy would be the guy you know but would never want to hang out with ever. Alicia is very much a stand in and disappointment to Remy by simply not being Jen. In many ways they perpetuate the worst qualities about one another.
I won't go into much more but I can see now why this book gets recommended. This certainly won't be a book I will forget.
