Turnpike

by Simone Shirazi

this is not a love story. this a ruination.

Genres: Dark Romance

ebook

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting way to show rape in college from all perspectives

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no review that could do justice to this book. Go read it if you don't.

[daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

just reread this after about 3 years- so heartbreaking and the ending is the exact outcome for real people in these situations :( it’s horrifying .

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Simone's writing since I read her books on Wattpad way back when. This is a short story with a HEAVY TW of rape and abuse. This story was just like...so so good in an emotional sense. It's free to read on Wattpad and will take like an hour. It's a really impactful story and perspective on rape culture in college and the writing really puts you in the head of the main character. I am so happy I stumbled upon thjs.

[Sophia LoCascio · Rating 5 out of 5]

this short story really got me reflecting on toxic relationships and how manipulative they can be. i thought this was an emotional telling of rape culture full of lots of TW. it was beautifully written and right to the point. it made you reflect a lot and ask lots of internal questions. very good read

[Emily Baudoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and heavy short story. As much as I enjoyed it I’ve seen firsthand how different people view this writing, and how it reflects on there own lives.

My mom, who is fresh out of a 20+ year long manipulative relationship, enjoyed this as much as me. We talked for quite a while on the pattern and the connection she was able to make to her relationship. We talked about the meaning it held to us.

My sister however, who is currently in a manipulative relationship like the main character, completely missed the point of the story. She critiqued the style of writing, the lack of first names, and the abrupt ending (all the purposeful details that added to the meaning). It opened my eyes to how people view relationships, making it all the more meaningful to me.

I 100% recommend this book, see what meaning you find and ask yourself if that reflects on you. Also, know that you deserve the world and that I’m rooting for you.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely unreal. Amazingly written, we are manipulated along with the reader who essentially can be anyone and everyone. I was holding my breath throughout it and felt physically sick at various points. But I pushed through. Simone has a way of lacing intricate details in every sentence, and her symbolization and metaphors are out of this world. I really am struggling to find something that amazes me psychologically as much as this book. I like to read books that challenge my way of thinking and shock me and this sure did the job.

[khat · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading this book for the first time at 13 and rereading it at 19, made me understand the story much more than my younger self did. simone really knows how to write and tell a story. i am honestly glad that i came across her and this book back in 2016.

and to this day, no review can do this book justice. you need to read it to find out how amazing it is. and if i could give this infinity stars, i would.

[theatresofvinyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need more stories like this.

[shanaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in high school and it messed me up. It’s one of those stories that I find myself thinking about all the time, so I decide to read it again. And even all these years later, it still makes me feel so many things that I can’t put into words.

Turnpike is simply just one of those stories that you need to read for yourself, as there are no words to adequately describe how absolutely devastating, heartbreaking, and gut wrenching it is.

Simone is such a masterful writer and this story is a reflection of how fucked Greek life is and how terribly power corrupts.

I don’t think there will ever be a time where I don’t think about this book and feel absolutely wrecked by it.

[B O · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books, I originally read it on wattpad and I didn’t know it was actually published. There’s one quote from here that I’ve never forgotten

"I'll never escape it until I escape him, but this mock Stockholm syndrome has sunk its claws in deep and refuses to let me go.
Even if it does, the blood loss will keep me from crawling far; I will die at his feet with my fingertips outstretched towards freedom, grasping for the light.
But I will never touch it.”

Such a great book please read!

[m · Rating 5 out of 5]

the writing was so heartbreaking yet so beautiful at the same time. it's so sad how realistic this story is and it's simply crazy how you as a reader also fall into the lies of the manipulative MMC. i think it expresses so well the realness of toxic/abusive relationships and how they feel like a never ending cycle. this simply is a masterpiece that reflects well the harsh and horrible world we live in

[WJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but devastating read available on Wattpad.

Turnpike requires close reading, as the true depths of the toxicity in the 'relationship' between our unnamed narrator and the frat president is slowly revealed as you read along. It feels as though their ties are inextricable and that our narrator is sinking further and further along, even as she tries to resist. The ending comes as a terrible shock, even though reality should have already prepared us otherwise.

[Saniya · Rating 5 out of 5]

U know how you reminisce about a wattpad book all of a sudden and can’t remember the name of the book to save your life? so you type in a description of what happens in the book on google to search for it and you do this for hours until you finally give up (and maybe try again later)? This is The ONE STORY I read on Wattpad that I actually remember the name of…and I can’t even find it to reread it again😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😢

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Very. And yes, an awakening.

[vasiliki 🍒 · Rating 5 out of 5]

a masterpiece

[a. · Rating 5 out of 5]

no words can ever describe this book. it is haunting, it is beautiful, and it will rob you off of your sleep.

[han · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this during my wattpad days and i have always been fond of the authors works, especially this piece.

[lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

very impactful book

[ava ❥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite possibly one of the most perfect books ever written. Beautiful writing and absolutely heart wrenching story.

[Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely heartbreaking

[dilraba · Rating 5 out of 5]

difficult read

[Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this the first time at 14 and now at 24 I can confidently say this book was probably one of the best I read when it was on Wattpad.

[Maddie Kopecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, whew, it's time.

Let's talk about Turnpike and everything that comes with this beautifully messy story. The writing is brilliant. The pacing of the short story is stellar and engaging. There's so much about it that hits with realism and wonderful technique. Mechanically speaking, there aren't any complaints from me, and I'm sort of a hard sell when it comes to books.

My one catch is the ending. Felt a bit abrupt.

Aside from that, it was truly worth the read. So poignant. *chef's kiss*

[vee · Rating 4 out of 5]

tw // rape

this is not a love story. this a ruination - a must read!

[Arpita Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that was eyeopening. A realistic portrayal of toxic and manipulative relationship. The writer is so talented that she evaporates the line between what is real and fiction. This book is deeply emotion evoking. There are many cringe worthy books in wattpad but this book is an absolute gem of a book. A must read for everyone. I have read all kinds of book on wattpad there are some books so beautifully written I consider it in high regard.

[mal · Rating 4 out of 5]

would die to read it again but unfortch this book is now lost media :(