Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

16 reviews

lisesenb's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Confinement, Alcohol, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Self harm, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Grief, Dementia, Deadnaming, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Incest, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Violence, Child abuse, Cursing, and Sexual content

kateleos's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

Basically a one-day read, after seeing the movie last weekend. There were things I thought the movie did better - I didn't need the Koop boys and am glad Sarah Polley excised them - but I loved learning more about August. I don't think I needed his inner life in the film (and I'm grateful for Autje's voiceover), but I'm glad I got it this way. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Grief, Incest, Pregnancy, Violence, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Physical abuse

The content warnings seem very intense, but the violence is shared sparingly and without detail.

vixenreader's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A text that that gives a humanizing insight on a community that is not as closely examined as it should be. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia

Minor: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Confinement, and Alcoholism

There is a lot of information about Mennonite culture and the story adhering to the assault of the women such community. Please read at your own discretion.

crosberg's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This is the best book I've read this year (so far).  I'm glad I went in knowing the basic plot, because it definitely deserves a bunch of content warnings and isn't for the faint of heart.  But both the writing itself and the structure, how the story was told, were absolutely masterful.  The perspective choices, the character backgrounds, the jokes and small details, every single choice that Toews made elevates it to the absolute height of what the book is capable of.  The pacing is perfect, tight without being unforgiving.  When I finished reading it I had to lay down on the floor and stare at the ceiling for a while so I could process.  An absolute masterpiece.  But please please do pay attention to the content warnings, this book speaks about some of the most difficult subjects I've ever read about in a book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexism, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Sexual content

jessbrownette's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Incest, Grief, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Death

liblibby's review

emotional tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Incest, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt