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Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
32 reviews
bel017's review
Some very dark history covered, but otherwise a heap of fun. The main character and supporting cast are fabulous. I loved the found family, competent protagonists, hiding in plain sight, and heaving doses of usurping the hierarchy, wrapped up in a slightly mad and fast paced adventure. I do love a good shenanigan. Can't wait for the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny
Moderate: Cancer, Classism, Rape, and Torture
jacquettareads's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Child abuse and Rape
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
I loved this book from beginning to end but I confess that if I hadn’t had to read it for a book group, I’d never have picked it because it looks and sounds like it’s a lightweight “cozy mystery,” the last thing I’d normally choose. This has lots of humor and it’s quite entertaining but it’s about as far from cozy as you can get. Vivid descriptions of truly appalling situations abound.
This is a feminist tirade against the abuse of women in the 18th and 19th Centuries, and nothing about it is gentle. I am not one to cry at books but I had tears in my eyes reading about the conditions at the private insane asylum - women chained half-naked in feces up to their ankles is just one example of the many cruelties and injustices.
The author has done copious research on the Regency period of England (1811-1820), and it tells in the detail she brings to the story. This would be a good companion to Jane Austen’s books and the somewhat later ones of the Bronte’s. They focused on polite society whereas this book shows a part of England they may not have known existed.
Unfortunately for me, this book was only just published so I’ll have to wait all too long for the sequel. I know it will be well worth the wait, but still….
This is a feminist tirade against the abuse of women in the 18th and 19th Centuries, and nothing about it is gentle. I am not one to cry at books but I had tears in my eyes reading about the conditions at the private insane asylum - women chained half-naked in feces up to their ankles is just one example of the many cruelties and injustices.
The author has done copious research on the Regency period of England (1811-1820), and it tells in the detail she brings to the story. This would be a good companion to Jane Austen’s books and the somewhat later ones of the Bronte’s. They focused on polite society whereas this book shows a part of England they may not have known existed.
Unfortunately for me, this book was only just published so I’ll have to wait all too long for the sequel. I know it will be well worth the wait, but still….
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Excrement, Cancer, Deportation, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Trafficking, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gun violence, and Incest
turrean's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Kudos for queer representation, for sharing a character’s journey away from religious belief, and for some fascinating Regency vulgarities.
However, the lighthearted Austenesque situation at the beginning of the book is quickly overshadowed by some horrific set pieces (the brothel, the hospital, the madhouse.) The descriptions of human trafficking, rape, brutal and inhuman incarceration, and the tortures of surgery with no anesthesia were doubtless historically accurate but no less painful to read. The copy of the book I read had an excerpt of a review right above the title: “Smart and sassy!!” which was an odd choice for a book that tells unflinchingly of the treatment of women in that era.
However, the lighthearted Austenesque situation at the beginning of the book is quickly overshadowed by some horrific set pieces (the brothel, the hospital, the madhouse.) The descriptions of human trafficking, rape, brutal and inhuman incarceration, and the tortures of surgery with no anesthesia were doubtless historically accurate but no less painful to read. The copy of the book I read had an excerpt of a review right above the title: “Smart and sassy!!” which was an odd choice for a book that tells unflinchingly of the treatment of women in that era.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Cancer, Child abuse, Excrement, and Forced institutionalization
The book is tagged as “lighthearted” by many readers. No. It’s not.alyssajp's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Adventurous. Action. Feminist. Sisterhood. A bit of romance. Tackles some heavy topics including breast cancer, faith, confinement, graphic neglect/abuse; not a "light-hearted" read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement, Medical content, Physical abuse, Suicide, Vomit, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Blood, Cancer, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Rape
mareliweb1's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A really great book! I loved how the book was split up into a couple shorter stories rather than one long one. I liked how Gus was very emphatic about how she liked Evan and wasn’t ashamed of admitting it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Confinement, Slavery, Suicide, Medical trauma, Violence, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Blood, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Sexism, Vomit, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Grief, Pedophilia, Rape, and Terminal illness
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, Racism, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, and Incest
katross4's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Child abuse
wordnerdy's review
Goodman is hit or miss for me and this was more of a miss, there was too much going on, too much melodrama, some gross business involving children kidnapped into sex slavery. I was very annoyed by it all and decided to stop instead of finishing and giving it a bad rating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Child abuse
srivalli's review
dark
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
4 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining but darker than expected
1812, England
Lady Augusta Colebrook (Gus) and Lady Julia, her twin, are forty-two-year-old twins living in their family home. Gus is unmarried and couldn’t care less for people who think she should be demure and drab. Lady Julia is mourning her husband but shares her twin’s opinion to an extent.
The duo takes up a task to help their beloved friend, Lady Charlotte, which leads to another rescue mission. Gus and Julia have to rescue Caroline from her violent husband. The journey puts them on a highway robber’s path, who happens to be none other than Lord Evans Belford. The man was sent to the colonies for killing a person in a duel some twenty years ago.
As life brings more changes and developments, the twins decide to help women who get little or no support from others. Of course, they also have to deal with their own issues on the way.
The story comes in Lady Augusta’s first-person POV.
Don’t rely on the Goodreads blurb.
My Thoughts:
Despite the lighthearted cover and blurb, the book deals with some heavy themes almost throughout. Some detailed descriptions of events may not suit every reader (check trigger warnings at the end).
Not many books from the Regency era have a 40+ FMC, and I was immediately intrigued by this. Of course, it’s also clear that Gus doesn’t act her age in many instances (the book wouldn’t be fun if she did).
The book has not one but three different cases divided into four sections. All cases are serious and involve great danger. Gus isn’t someone who makes a perfect plan but rather likes to wing it. This means she relies a lot on luck (and Lord Evans) to come to her rescue when things go out of control. It makes sense in a way because, despite her attitude, she is still governed by societal ideas of men and women.
Lady Julia is relatively better with caution but can be a little too annoying at times. However, she’s got a good head and knows how to use it. Together, the twins make an interesting pair. Their love for each other shines throughout the book. Other characters like Weatherly (the butler), Tilly (Gus’ lady’s maid), and Mr. Kent are impressive.
The setting and social conditions of the period were very well done. I couldn’t help but feel enraged about so many injustices that were brushed aside by men and the ton. I sure would have loved it if Duffy (the younger brother of the twins and their family head) got shot by a highwayman.
Themes like social classes, mistreatment of women, health problems & the cure (or the lack of it), religion (God) and belief, social restrictions, impositions, etc., form a major part of the book. The cases take us through ballrooms, parks, brothels, and madhouses, and Gus’ commentary on the conditions works well for the plot.
There are a few lighthearted scenes, too, which prevent the content from getting too heavy. The book is entertaining in many ways but isn’t humorous or a fluffy cozy mystery. Some of it is decidedly dark and can be uncomfortable to read. Though I see the need for them, some descriptions could have been shorter.
The author’s note is informative and gave me more insights about the book. Apparently, a couple of characters are real people. I like how she incorporated them into the plot.
The book ends on a cliffhanger (gasp!) after 464 pages. But at least the three cases are solved. The main track will continue and hopefully be solved in the next book. I should be annoyed (and I am indeed a little miffed). But I’m also glad that the sisters get a series of their own. They sure have the potential for it.
To summarize, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is darker than what the cover and blurb suggest but is a great start to a new series. It will make you laugh but also inspire strong emotions for the injustices women face.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#BenevolentSocietyOfIllmanneredLadies #NetGalley
***
TW: Detailed description of mastectomy without anesthesia, references to pedophilia at brothel houses, abuse at the madhouse, many mentions of pee and excreta, references to incest and sexual abuse.
***
P.S.: I would have enjoyed the book more if the ARC’s formatting was so horrible. The PDF file with so many headers and footers messed up the content big time. Argh! I had to rant about this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement and Medical content
Moderate: Physical abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Incest