Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

1259 reviews

laurellen_h's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This book evoked such strong emotions in me. It was dark and hard to read (for the content) and I spent a fair bit of it holding my breath and crying. I can’t count the amount of times I had to put the book down, have a breather and then jump back in because I had to know she’d be alright. It was such a powerful story and showed how complex human emotion is. Tough subject matter, but a must read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Stalking

isvargas's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

One of the best books I have ever read. Absolutely heart wrenching and difficult to read, but couldn’t put it down. Incredibly insightful as to why not all survivors come out after sexual trauma. The fact that this is basically the author’s doctorate dissertation should show how literarily advanced and well thought out this book is. Russell thoughtfully explores the nuance of the #metoo movement, victimhood, and power while above all else, she shows how we minimize our trauma in order to cope. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicide and Adult/minor relationship

kelbro97's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Grief, and Rape

Moderate: Alcohol, Suicide, Alcoholism, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death of parent and Animal death

flapjackzs_'s review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Rape

Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Suicide

Minor: Drug use, Self harm, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, and Alcohol

clairiewairie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

I’ve never had to take so many breaks from reading a book before. 

Utterly disturbing, upsetting, and very well written. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Alcohol, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Suicide

rchulin1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad fast-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

Such an amazing book very dark not for the faint of heart. So many triggers be mindful of them before reading but nonetheless my favorite book as of now.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Body shaming, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Vomit, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Suicide, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Stalking, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Violence, Drug abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

shaleen64's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.25

There’s no denying that the content of this book makes for difficult reading. However, the way in which it is written is skilful and tactful. It explores the issues of sexual abuse with no romanticism but raw honesty and forces you to reflect on your own perceptions of both survivors and perpetrators. A thought provoking book that needs to be read by people from all demographics.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, and Drug use

Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, and Animal death

jenna_ld's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

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

4.75

Such an important book to me. Really tough subject, but it's really well written. You can clearly see the manipulation in the book (I hope) and the way Strane made Vanessa think she was the one to blame. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia

landofkate's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Child abuse, and Gaslighting

dafni's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

3.5

I cannot say this book was enjoyable. I found it extremely disturbing. I debated a lot with myself whether to keep reading or abandon, purely because of the detailed depictions of child abuse and rape. The reason I kept reading was because the author lays out the complexity of victimhood and sexual violence. Other than that, 75% of the book made me physically nauseous and uncomfortable - not in a good way.  I am not sure if I would recommend. If you have this on your list, be careful with the trigger warnings and take care of yourself while reading ♥️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Adult/minor relationship