Reviews tagging 'Murder'

There There by Tommy Orange

97 reviews

bagel_cm's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Drug use

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent

lupemota's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

this is one of the most well written books I’ve read in a while. Orange builds up to the end so intricately, though sometimes it was difficult to keep up with the background characters knowing later they’d be important to the story. 

This book is a perfect example of learning history through fiction. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Racism, Terminal illness, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Colonisation

Moderate: Genocide

seawarrior's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

There There is unlike any book I've read before. Within it, Orange weaves together the lives of twelve Native characters from Oakland, setting up a searing finale we are left to dread from the first chapter. The novel is preluded by a nonfiction essay telling the true history and horror of colonization in the past, and followed by an interlude describing the modern weight of colonization, and the significance of powwows as a place of togetherness for Native people of all tribes. I've never seen a book set up this way before and think it was a wise choice, as the essays provided information I had not previously known, but was essential to understanding the world There There aimed to reflect. 

Orange's skill and detail creating each of his characters is impressive to say the least. He writes from multiple perspectives and points in time, giving each person their own distinct voice and tone when telling their stories. The problems these characters are living through are interconnected but diverse, even among family members. Yet Orange never fails to get within the minds of these very different people, pressing the reader to understand them all, even those who we know will threaten the safety of the Powwow. He pulls no punches when describing tragedy, illness and grief, but still provides his characters with opportunity for hope and peace whenever possible. This is one of the most effectively written books I've ever read and I highly recommend it, but please note the content warnings below. Alcoholism especially was described with heavy detail, so if that's something you're susceptible to you may want to read with caution. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

marisa_n's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Native American, mutliple POV, mass shooting

habertoes's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Mass/school shootings, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation

sammies_shelf's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gun violence, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction

Minor: Rape

kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

lyd41's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Did not enjoy the ending 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Fatphobia and Forced institutionalization

gmwells's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Cancer, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Death of parent

anna_mayes's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

4.0

There, There by Tommy Orange

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“You gotta know about the history of your people. How you got to be here, that’s all based on what people done to get you here.”

There, There follows twelve characters as they prepare for the Big Oakland Powwow. These characters all are on individual journeys that are fated to intertwine in unexpected ways. Dene Oxendene is looking to collect the stories of those at the Powwow in order to document the Native experience. Jacquie Red Feather is on a journey to reunite with her family after leaving them in shame. Orvil taught himself how to dance and is hoping to win money for his grandmother and brothers. These are just a few of the stories told in There, There

It is important to read about cultures other than your own in order to better understand people. One of the things I enjoyed the most about this book was the way that each character had their own story, but the stories were also intertwined. It shows how we all have individual experiences, but we have a larger shared experience as a culture. There, There was a quick read for me, but also had moments that were hard to read. Not because they were boring, but because the content was very emotional. The ending left me wanting more in a good way. I wanted to know that all of the characters would be okay. I became attached to them and started playing scenarios in my head that could have happened after the book ended.

I recommend this for everyone. 

Content Warnings: Abuse, Murder, Suicide, Drug Addiction, Gun Violence

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Murder

Moderate: Drug abuse