Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

La Sombra Del Viento by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

91 reviews

cainnechwithdrawn's review against another edition

The characters are extremely flat in a sexist way. I hated reading so many descriptions of men objectifying women. Disappointing, I've heard a lot of good things but this is hard to read for me. I'm not even someone who is against depictions of misogyny, I liked Nabokov's Lolita for example, but that book had substance to it's sexual violence.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Domestic abuse and War

calathean's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Police brutality

Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Excrement, and Misogyny

Minor: War, Torture, Domestic abuse, Child death, Rape, and Death of parent

liyaeshetu's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Police brutality, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Torture, Homophobia, Rape, Child abuse, Blood, Domestic abuse, Incest, and Misogyny

viscog30's review against another edition

mysterious 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? No

2.0

Decent storyline, but includes heaps of misogyny and violence against women. Perpetrators of violence against women are portrayed in a sympathetic light, and their behavior is largely ignored or excused. Women are also objectified and sexualized constantly. 2 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Incest

Moderate: Rape

oonawoodbury's review against another edition

The overall story was interesting but there is so much misogyny in this book! Not saying it’s necessarily supported by the narrative or the author but it’s everywhere. I really wish it wasn’t so I could enjoy this book :( 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Racism

booknerdwithlipstick's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Police brutality

Moderate: Sexual content, Incest, Torture, Alcohol, Bullying, Child death, Sexism, Vomit, Confinement, and Dementia

Minor: Forced institutionalization

cshell12's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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

3.75

While the narration was great, this audiobook was very challenging to follow. Lots of characters, narrative changes and sub plot stories (that do eventually come together and make sense). I think the would have been easier to read as a book. Definitely a complex story with an interesting plot, and though it’s part of a series it does feel complete/works as a stand alone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Incest, and Violence

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Toxic relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual content

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Death of parent

ari5scythe's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Police brutality, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual violence, Ableism, Domestic abuse, Confinement, War, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Child abuse and Emotional abuse

oliverwatson's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death

Moderate: Rape

meguniqueuser's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

1.5

Very melodramatic. The main character Daniel is overly emotional and falls in love with almost every woman he meets and they in turn are charmed by him. 

Every woman falls madly in love with Julian and is obsessed with him.
The criticisms that are thrown at romantic novels by female authors all apply here. 

While the writing is poetic and evocative, the story lacks much meaning. Yet the author upholds the plot like it is the most sacred of texts. Maybe it was the audio I listened to with piano interludes that made it even more overdramatic. 

Perhaps if you enjoy gloomy mellow drama you might enjoy this, but I don’t. I especially didn't like that the author describes women as sexual objects, plot devices, or the butt of jokes. 

There are so many endings and epilogues, it was worst than the last Lord of the Rings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, Blood, Misogyny, and Gun violence

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Incest, Domestic abuse, and Sexism