Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

Post-Traumatic by Chantal V. Johnson

7 reviews

kimikreil's review

challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Body shaming, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Violence, Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Drug use, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders

creativerunnings's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Eating disorder, Classism, Death, Alcohol, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

stellahadz's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

I loved the writing style of Post-Traumatic. Johnson articulates the main character Vivian's thoughts in a sharp and concise but also accessible and easily picturable way. Vivian has been through some shit, to put it mildly, but instead of focusing heavily on the traumatic events of her past, the book deals with the way they inform the present-day events of her life. There's something refreshing about Johnson choosing to focus on Vivian's development and how she learns to care for herself; it's an antidote to "trauma porn," which can sometimes feel overdone and somewhat voyeuristic. While Vivian's thoughts and behaviors are extreme, the way she relays her feelings and interactions with friends and romantic interests is deeply relatable. I especially loved the scenes where she and her best friend, Jane, discuss their lives and shared experiences. Post-Traumatic is a "slice-of-life" novel, but with a dark-humor twist. It's a fantastic debut novel and I look forward to reading more of Johnson's work.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Body shaming, Pedophilia, Homophobia, and Animal cruelty

schwelo's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is a story about surviving trauma, taking control back, and struggling when old coping skills no longer work. There are moments of darkness and anxiety, but it’s told with a kind of brutal honesty and wit that keeps you engaged in the story and understanding the main character’s perspective even as her life unravels and she finds a new path forward.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Body shaming, and Child abuse

narbine's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-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

4.0

I’ve never had a book retell PTSD & hyper-vigilance so well. The worrying that others are going to harm you. The weird feelings you get when you see affectionate parents and also scolding adults towards children. 
(minor spoiler)

The therapy scenes were truly well done as both a person who receives therapy and is a therapist. The questions of being a Black girl in therapy and wondering how the race of the therapist will impact your work.

There was a realness and rawness I have not experienced in other books before. The protagonist was messy and not always likable, but that’s what made me love her and root for her. Again, the realness and the ickiness that comes with humanity and trauma. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Mental illness

Moderate: Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Eating disorder, and Infidelity

Minor: Animal cruelty and Police brutality

sha's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

I liked a few quotes (hence the .5 stars), but none of the characters were likeable and the pace was so slow. Plus a cat was killed and that immediately makes it 0 stars for me. Also wow look at the tigger warnings. I wish I didn’t read this.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

blkbookbae's review

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Child abuse, Animal death, Eating disorder, Stalking, Forced institutionalization, Animal cruelty, Police brutality, and Misogyny

Minor: Rape and Schizophrenia/Psychosis