Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

17 reviews

toffishay's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It can be a really tense read and it stuck with me long after I finished. Not one that you return to often, but the messaging and what you learn from this complex character is worth the endeavor.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Self harm and Sexual violence

Minor: Physical abuse

emmyinthestacks's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Self harm, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Medical content, and Emotional abuse

giaslibrary's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

not too often do we get to see black women portrayed in media that are able to make mistakes (& queenie made so many jfc), are able to be “unhinged,” are able to grow into a better person. we always have to start that way and end that way, and i’m so grateful that candice carty-williams wrote this book, because i’m sure we can all relate in one way or another.

this novel explores racism, interracial relationships, micro aggressions, slut-shaming, childhood trauma. it’s intense (like genuinely, check the trigger warnings) and as someone who can relate to some of the experiences, it’s a pill that’s hard to swallow. it’s hilarious, and Queenie, with all of her god-awful decisions and thoughts, is still a character that you just want to hug and scream “sis, therapy, now, please!” 

this was a reread and i loved it as much as i did the first time!
(shout out to the author for make the side characters just as interesting as the main, i'm a Kyzaike stan)

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Self harm

apaperbackgirl's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, and Sexual content

Moderate: Medical content, Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs

jularcido's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I heard so much praise for this book (and a comparison to Bridget Jones??) so I HAD to read it. This story follows Queenie, a 20-something Jamaican Brit, and her life spiraling as she deals with heartbreak, a job that isn't what she dreamed it would be, a family who won't listen, and friends who don't know how to help her. All Queenie wants is to be seen, and to figure it all out.

•

The writing style and first-person narration really made me feel like I was listening to a friend. This made it all so much more frustrating when she kept making self-destructive decisions. These decisions were only some (not all) of the triggering content that made the story so raw and realistic. To me, this book wasn't as much a cute heartwarming read but more cathartic and relatable. Queenie's mental health issues were written well and I really liked her nonlinear path of recovery.

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All Queenie's interactions really showcased the different forms of racism and sexism a person can face simply dealing with work issues, talking with friends, and dating trash men. While I cannot speak for the Black experience, as a POC myself, I connected with many of the micro-aggressions (and straight up aggressions) that she had  to deal with, especially with men. The racial gaslighting that Queenie faced throughout the book really made my heart hurt. 😕

•

Although the book dealt with a lot of heavy topics, I feel that I found a friend in Queenie, and maybe you will too. 💕

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Self harm, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Infidelity, Fatphobia, and Body shaming

lauconn's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship

annavonwillingh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts