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Tampa

272 pages, 2014

fiction

fiction

1382 books
Takeaways
Description

Celeste Price is an eighth-grade English teacher in suburban Tampa. She's undeniably attractive, drives a red Corvette with tinted windows, and is married to square-jawed Ford Price. But Celeste is also a sociopath who can't help but pursue fourteen-year-old Jack Patrick. Her actions may be immoral, but she isn't doing anything wrong under the law.

Exploring the Dark Side of Desire

In Tampa, Alissa Nutting takes us on a journey into the dark side of desire. The book explores the taboo subject of a female teacher's sexual obsession with her young male students. It's a bold and daring exploration that will make you question societal norms and expectations.

Unsettling Character Study

The protagonist, Celeste Price, is a deeply flawed and disturbing character. Nutting does an excellent job of getting into her mind, making us understand her motivations and desires, even if we find them repulsive. It's a deep dive into the psyche of a predator that will leave you unsettled.

A Commentary on Society's Double Standards

Tampa is not just a story about a sexual predator, it's also a commentary on society's double standards. Nutting forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that female predators are often treated differently than their male counterparts. It's a thought-provoking book that will make you see things from a different perspective.

The Power of Seduction

One of the key themes in Tampa is the power of seduction. Nutting shows us how Celeste uses her beauty and charm to manipulate those around her. It's a chilling reminder of how easy it is for predators to hide in plain sight.

A Disturbingly Realistic Portrayal

What makes Tampa so impactful is its disturbingly realistic portrayal of a sexual predator. Nutting doesn't shy away from the graphic details, making the book a difficult but necessary read. It's a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk in the most unexpected places.

Quotes 3

Tampa is a wild, stunning, and audacious novel. Alissa Nutting's prose is both elegant and perverse—a molotov cocktail of human frailty, opportunism and sexual taboo, thrown into the face of the reader.

Roxane GayRoxane Gay - Feminist writer, professor

Nutting's work is a shocking, unflinchingly honest, and twisted take on the classic student-teacher relationship narrative. It's a brave and intriguing portrayal of a taboo subject.

Kirkus ReviewsKirkus Reviews - Book review magazine

Nutting's Tampa is a total knockout, a lurid and fascinating exploration of a twisted character's mind. It's a brave, powerful and important book that dares to shine a light on dark places.

Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly - Book publishing news
Roxane GayKirkus ReviewsPublishers Weekly

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