Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

4 reviews

hmih's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Alcohol, Addiction, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Cursing, and Sexual content

Minor: Vomit and Blood

lyleelou11's review against another edition

2.25

A really weird want to be Glee x Euphoria type of book. 

The MFC tries way too hard to be Rachel Berry.

Her co-workers make their job site seem like the Euphoria set.

There was a decent amount of good language, and it made me crave coffee, red wine & dark chocolate.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Abandonment, Drug use, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Drug abuse

chloeplatt's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse

Moderate: Sexual violence

mmatti300's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

I’m giving this a 5 because a 4.75 feels petty and 4.5 feels like not enough. Sweetbitter sucked me in. I fell in love with the absurd, irrational, unlikeable characters in a heartbeat. I found myself wanting more, insatiably drawn to Danler’s writing and the emotions that she evoked. The only reason this is on the cusp of a 5 is because I’m not sure I would want to reread it, and I’m not certain that I will remember most aspects of the novel in even a week. However, the complex relationship between Simone, Tess, and Jake is one that I devoured more than Tess devoured oysters at the Oyster bar. Danler’s decision to not reveal Tess’ name until the halfway point, when Jake finally notices her and she is fully ingratiated into the restaurant’s dynamics was a stunning choice that really resonated with me. I also think the way that we slowly learn about Simone and Jake’s history with Tess was a stunning decision, especially the fact that we never get a full grasp of what their true relationship is. Anyway, a solid read for lovers of 20-something coming of age’s, dark academia-esque plots (though there’s no school or murder), or slightly gay contemporaries. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Vomit