Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

382 reviews

shadowsinger17's review

dark emotional sad 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? No

3.75

Well written but I found it depressing.  yet the message is indomitable. There is hope within the protagonist by accepting what is and to have a belief bigger than yourself. The focus is change, change is god. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

sabiecee's review

dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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? No

4.25

Jarring, real, and thought-provoking. Having a hard time to coming to terms with it still.
The main character's relationship at the end and the weird age gap is making me really uncomfortable though, and I'm hoping that doesn't last long in the next book 😭

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

glassdanse's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

this book is not for the faint of heart. it is a beautifully written book though. not one I would recommend to everybody

kaseybereading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Cannibalism, and Fire/Fire injury

angievansprang's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow this was incredible. I know this has been said many times, but not only was Butler vastly ahead of her times, she also essentially predicted many parts of the future (our current reality) back in the late 90s/early 2000s. I am so impressed at her introspection and ability to formulate a novel religion that is so community-centered. It is very true that is what the world, especially here in the US, need right now. I adored our main character Lauren, who is wise far beyond her age and very believable. While this book covered deeply brutal topics, there is an air of hope by the end that I appreciated. It highlights that no matter how bad things get, we will prevail if we rely on one another. Community is Everything & God is Change.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Blood

Minor: Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, and Classism

emerentina's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

missanareads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

This book was heavy and hard to read. It’s hard to think that humanity would ever be like this so it’s hard to sink into. I also could have done without the religion creating, but maybe that just went over my head. Interesting read, but wouldn’t read again 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and Classism

valliegator's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? No

5.0

Honestly a challenging read but in the best possible way. The book is 30 years old but feels incredibly current and almost too real these days. There are challenging topics but at its core it’s reflective and contemplative about the human experience and what we owe to each other and the world. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Cannibalism

alwayslatetotheparty's review against another edition

Ah, Ms. Butler, you are far-seeing. I will attempt to finish this, but not now...the week post-election 2024. It is beautiful, heavy and sad. I am very upset about Lauren's dad. When I listen, I am immersed in the story, but I must put this down for a time.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, and Pedophilia

noirhimbo's review against another edition

dark informative reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book literally lit a fire in me that no man, woman, or God can extinguish. Read it and be Changed. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence

Minor: Cannibalism