Reviews tagging 'Incest'

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

7 reviews

jvbook_reader's review

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted tense 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

5.0

One of the best books I've read this year. Hoping for a sequel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Trafficking, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, and Cancer

Minor: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Murder, and Incest

geminireader's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

What an incredible read! I picked this up in anticipation of Bridgerton Season 3 and I’m so glad I did. I was immediately drawn to this novel because it didn’t center around romance, and while there was a bit of romance sprinkled in, it delivered on its promise to be a unique and adventurous Regency era novel. I wish there was a bit more of warning… I felt the description made the novel seem a lot more lighthearted and fun. This book delves into some very dark topics of the time regarding the treatment of women. I felt a bit unprepared for those heavy topics, so please consider this aspect before you read if you have certain triggers. Otherwise, I am eagerly awaiting the sequel! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Physical abuse

Minor: Child death, Sexual violence, Rape, Incest, Vomit, and Sexual harassment

idesofmarch's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Medical content, Trafficking, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Blood, and Gun violence

Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Excrement, Cancer, and Child death

Minor: Sexual assault, Slavery, Rape, Incest, and Racism

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….

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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

alhalpern's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Incest, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gore, Kidnapping, Suicide, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence

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

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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

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 

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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.

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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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Excrement and Medical content

Moderate: Physical abuse and Child abuse

Minor: Incest