Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

28 reviews

pollyflorence's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Dementia, Infidelity, and Sexual content

shieldbearer's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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

Every story was so well crafted with nuanced characters.  Highly recommended. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Child abuse, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Grief, Racism, Physical abuse, Lesbophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Dementia, and Racial slurs

Minor: Car accident, Child death, and Cancer

cleches's review

emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Although all of the stories didn’t completely resonate with me, the idea that Black women raised in the church (or raised by women who were in the church) have to suppress so much of who they are/want to be did. Many of the stories centered around sex. Sex is often used asa weapon against women in the church. It’s not talked about, except for unwed girls being responsible for not doing it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Sexual content

bootsmom3's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Lesbophobia, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexism, and Dementia

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cancer, Body shaming, Homophobia, and Fatphobia

Minor: Terminal illness and Abortion

davidbythebay's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Greg (Supposedly Fun on BookTube & Instagram) was absolutely right: this is an amazing short story collection! I shy away from short story collections because I never feel they are or of similar caliber to each other usually. Here, however, Philyaw has created an entire universe of Black women who are strong, unapologetically powerful, and asserting how they wish to live their lives. From queer/lesbian or heterosexual perspectives, these nine short stories cover a wide ground of topic areas and perspectives. And I'm living for it all! Absolutely amazing! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abortion, Addiction, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content

libraryghost's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Racism, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Infidelity

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, and Death

Minor: Abortion

emliza's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Racism

meggiekate03's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Dementia, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism

nsfonline's review

emotional hopeful reflective tense

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

5.0

This was an absolute masterpiece. Each story was so engaging and stood on its own.  I could not put it down from chapter 1 to the end.  I listened on audio which was great and toward the end I bought the Kindle version so I have a permanent record and to support this awesome storyteller.  Will revisit this book and this author often.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, and Emotional abuse

witchycowboy's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

What a powerful book this is. These stories are so real and powerful. It felt like when you sit in a beauty salon, listening to older woman gossip and tell tales of their childhood. I strongly recomend everyone give this book a read. As this book does an amazing job at creating characters who are shamelessly strong women of color. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Sexual content