Reviews tagging 'Violence'

La casa de los espíritus by Isabel Allende

144 reviews

dorkira's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Classism

Moderate: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Police brutality

april_liebt_libros123's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

This story is LONG but not without intention. As a multi-generational tale, I was often left wondering what was the point of it all. There is a rather extended climax of the end of the book, but it ties all the experiences of the many varied characters together in a way the mirrors the story telling of its protagonists. I finished it feeling an appreciation for the journey it took me on, even if it took me a minute to get there. While I won't say I ENJOYED this book, I do definitely feel like I learned from it and have a good representation of this style of writing and what the author is known for. I'm grateful for the read, even if I had to force myself through some of it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Violence, Grief, Racial slurs, Rape, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, and Sexism

amandadasso's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Sexual violence, Violence, Pedophilia, and Domestic abuse

mightyoscura's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• 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: Suicide, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Death of parent, Death, Car accident, Slavery, Sexual violence, Rape, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Excrement, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Chronic illness, Child abuse, Body horror, Self harm, Violence, Torture, Misogyny, Medical content, Gaslighting, Deportation, Classism, Child death, Blood, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, War, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Colonisation, Abortion, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexism, Racism, Physical abuse, and Mental illness

amgarrido's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

skybluespines's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.75

I really enjoyed this book, but it is slow. I felt like I was in it for the long haul. There's quite a bit of violence (with intention). To some extent, I may just not have been in the right head space for this book at this time. (I've been reading a lot of Latino and magical realism books lately, and I think I just need to shift into a different genre for a bit and come back to it.)

This follows a family in their day-to-day lives and interactions over the course of 3 generations. It is beautiful and skillfully written, as Allende is a master of her craft. It was just too long for me—although I don't know that her message would have come across as clearly had it been shorter. I think the end especially brought everything together masterfully. I didn't realize it was semi-autobiographical... I want to learn more about Allendes life now!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Violence, and Rape

Moderate: War

elliejane002's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Genocide, Pregnancy, Classism, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Abortion, Colonisation, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Police brutality, War, Physical abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Sexual content

mclaravlm's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Rape, Abortion, Animal cruelty, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse

nimeneth's review against another edition

Probably a minority here, but I just didn't like it.

The book is a tale of misery and bizarre characters, and that would be fine if the writing was engaging. Unfortunately it's not - it's a lot of summary, very minimal dialogue, and the changes in the characters are superficial and revert relatively quickly. I wound up skimming the last 40 pages I "read" because it just wasn't engaging.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Misogyny

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

melindacraig87's review against another edition

Sad and heavy. It's very emotional, with a ton to process. Definitely well written, but not the type of escapism I seek when reading. I do think the story shows hard truths and creates provocative thoughts on class, politics, and historical patterns. All of those issues should be thought about, and this book does that. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Physical abuse