Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

When We Were Bright and Beautiful by Jillian Medoff

5 reviews

katiejohns's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Rape, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Classism and Grief

saramoser's review

challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

<spoilers>A extremely troubling and tough read about sexual assault, statutory rape, child abuse and grooming. Told from the view of the accused rapists sister, who sustained abuse most of her childhood and into adulthood and had covered this traumatic upbringing with falsified stories that she had conjured in her mind-to protect herself and her family. This read takes you inside the mind of the victim, while looking at how a family can react when they have abusers and trauma deep rooted in the family, but are able to cover this up with money. A lot of reviews low stars simply because they don’t like the ending, the ending lacked justice. But in the world we live in, isn’t that often the case? <spoilers>

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Classism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Drug use, Cursing, Violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Car accident, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Grief, and Rape

clevelandbookgirl's review

challenging dark tense slow-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? It's complicated

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Rape

Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Violence, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Minor: Alcohol and Drug use

rondasue27's review

dark mysterious 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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Rape, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Adult/minor relationship

Relationship between a minor and their sort of adoptive father. Rape discussed in detail for court trial.

thatswhatshanread's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

*Please look up all content warnings for this novel. There are many and they go very in depth.*

I went into this one not knowing much about it, other than it being a BOTM choice that really intrigued me. I think it’s important to let the story do the talking, rather than personal bias or other people’s reviews. Sometimes it’s hard to avoid that, but I think especially with this book, you need to recognize that the scenes are written very deeply in the POV of the MC, a rich and privileged young woman, though troubled and much more than what appears on the surface. 

This book dares you to play devil’s advocate for the worst possible scenario you could face as a woman. A case you would immediately fight against. Unthinkable, especially in today’s society. As a woman. As someone identifying as a woman. A daughter. A sister. A mother. A human being. 

A sexual assault case. A rich, handsome, white Princeton-educated young man versus the “obsessive” ex-girlfriend. We all know the story, unfortunately all too well. 

Where “When We Were Bright and Beautiful” differs is that it’s told from the POV of the accused’s older sister who believes him to be innocent. What ensues with her life, her secrets, her family’s secrets, and the trial as a whole is unsettling and shocking, but far more than just in the ways you’d expect. 

Dysfunctional lives of the rich and (in)famous. This is an incredible family drama that’s centered around privilege, control, and power. It’s a sickly accurate view of high society and rape culture, while in some ways being another stepping stone in the never-ending fight to believe victims. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Classism, Gaslighting, Grief, Pedophilia, Addiction, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Eating disorder, Confinement, Car accident, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Sexism, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, and Medical content

Minor: Body shaming, Abandonment, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail