Emily Coffee and Commentary's Reviews > Rouge

A funny, riveting gothic fairy tale that warns against the societal pressure to embody perfect beauty. Charming and with the uncanny, whimsical trademark of Mona Awad’s writing, Rouge is a look into Western society’s fear and disdain for aging, for physical imperfections; it is a contemporary princess story in which she is destroyed by the price of beauty, ensnared by the shadows of trauma. An exploration of identity and self image, especially after a significant loss, this is a novel that is both relatable and hard hitting. It is a call to be kinder when looking in the mirror, to let go of the past, to love ourselves even at our most influencer unapproved. Graceful, witty, and endearing in all the unique ways that Awad has mastered.