Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

9 reviews

ravenousrose's review against another edition

Couldn’t get past the racist language. I get that this is an older book; it just wasn’t something I felt was worth tolerating for a story I already knew the end of (I’ve seen the movie)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.75

I liked the plot more than the writing. I found the beginning kind of drawn-out, and I had to stick with it for something to start happening. I also understand writing in a time period, but I feel like some sensitivity could have been used in the vocab to keep way from more racial and outdated terms. I think there's got to be a way to be "authentic," but to also be respectful of people's humanity.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Confinement, Gaslighting, Bullying, Grief, Child death, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Racism

Minor: Body horror, Gun violence, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Sexual content, Murder, Rape, Abandonment, and Addiction

mysterymom40's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Child death, and Murder

Moderate: Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Racism

elsea_readingelsea's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Child abuse, Ableism, Racism, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

ahopper7's review

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

4.5

I’m reading this book many years after watching (and loving) the movie multiple times. I couldn’t believe how close the book and movie were, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie that follows a book scene for scene (sometimes word for word) as Shutter Island does! The book is a fantastic crime thriller, the puzzles and decoding by Teddy in the book are even better since the book is taking its time with them. My only hiccup is the final lines of the book vs the movie, in which I favor the movie. Honestly this would have been a 5 star read if I hadn’t already seen the movie and heard that last line, but I have and can’t take it back! Either way, whether you’ve seen the movie or not, if you like crime/psychological thrillers, I guarantee you will like this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Violence, Murder, Mental illness, Racism, Child death, and Death

elenatamsen's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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: Child death, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Racial slurs, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Death

Moderate: Medical content and Racism

potsandpans22's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Having read the book after watching the movie (I know, heathenous, but I only found out about the book after) I do see the similarities. The book does have several more unnecessary slurs such as the n-word and r-word but it fits the context of 1953 (I believe) when the book is set. 
Other than that the plot is very well-written, all the plot twists and turns are executed brilliantly and the character development is great too.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Moderate: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Cursing, Mental illness, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Racial slurs

allyjshand's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Read following several viewings of the film adaptation. Even though I already knew the plot and the final twist, I still couldn’t put the novel down.

The added details and depth really enhanced the protagonist’s background and the extent of his delusions.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Death, Child death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Genocide, Racism, Vomit, Addiction, and Cursing

juliebean666's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence