Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

37 reviews

chloebethx_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.25

A very moving and thought provoking story on what it means to be alive and the bonds of family.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Bullying

Moderate: Rape, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

themysteriouserk's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense 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

5.0

A beautifully written book with an intriguing and endearing (if also flawed/complicated) cast of characters. It flawlessly balances a huge variety of perspectives and ideas, its plot covering both the quiet, thoughtful moments of ordinary lives and the dramatic, world-shaping events of the past and present.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Racism

shoohoob's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75

Very glad I gave this book another chance and listened to the audiobook. First half was still so slow but picked up halfway through. Some parts didn’t really click with me, but overall I did enjoy it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Death, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Self harm, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Animal cruelty

birdbrainbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-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

This is the most challenging read I’ve had in a while! I definitely understand why it was Man Booker finalist. The writing is artful, strong, and unique. I tend not to love dual storylines/timelines which held true here—I don’t like getting settled into one storyline only to be pulled out and back into the other. I also tended to be much more engaged with Nao’s storyline set in Japan than Ruth’s storyline, although I did very much enjoy the sense of place in both and the side characters in Ruth’s. Definite trigger warnings throughout for suicide/suicidal thoughts and bullying, among other things. I’m not sure if I would continue reading more from this author—she is a fantastic talent but perhaps more literary and experimental for my personal taste. But I’m really glad I finished it and felt challenged in a new way.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Bullying

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

internationalreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny informative mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence

milktxa's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

3.5

  “I find myself drawn to literature more now than in the past; not the individual works as much as the idea of literature— the heroic effort and nobility of our human desire to make beauty of our minds.” 

I enjoyed the consciousness of the narrative and the metafiction style, which is definitely an interesting choice that is quite post-modern. It is reflective and subtle and embeds Japanese values in such a beautiful way. The creation of parallel universes is an interesting standpoint that was equal parts confusing and fascinating. It is ghastly and beautiful and leaves much to be desired.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

jasper_a's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

4.0

had some pretty good book club discussions with this book. i really enjoyed the story in its entirety [and so did the other members], but i might've been the only one who liked the ending as well. i admit that

the last 50 or so pages seemed rushed, with several concepts thrown in at once but i followed along with the train of thought well enough, so i didn't mind it.

the characters are complex, and the whole 'time being' thing was pretty cool, too.
A Tale for the Time Being has a fair amount of trigger warnings, and so there is a level of maturity needed to ride the ride.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Grief, Physical abuse, and Self harm

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Mental illness