Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

132 reviews

lakeside_knitter's review against another edition

emotional sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War

lgs25's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective relaxing 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

4.0

The descriptions of diving have really stayed with me, this is a gorgeous read.

I found a recommendation for this on a forum when I was looking for cosy reads, but I'll give a heads up to anyone else who reads this that there is actually a lot of trauma and darkness in this book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, and Excrement

Minor: Animal death, Rape, Sexism, and Terminal illness

mwritt's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse

sakisreads's review against another edition

challenging dark informative 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? No

3.5

This was recommended by two friends and I’m grateful I read it 🥹

We flit between Young-sook’s perspective as an old haenyeo ‘thriving’ in Jeju (2008) then her and the haenyeo community and the traumas they had to endure (1930’s onwards). This was difficult for me to get used to, so there were some moments where I wanted to put the book down. However, this book helped me learn so much about haenyeo and I did go back for more. 

Young-sook and Mi-ja’s friendship was so deep, I could only imagine the horrific hurt they both experienced 😫

I absolutely adored the ending though, Janet and Clara revealing their persimmon-dyed diving clothes got me all teary ❤️

3.5 out of 5 stars for me, thank you ✨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Colonisation

capri_sam's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

emcbuckett's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad slow-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

3.75

This book feels more like a biography than the kind of historical fiction I’m accustomed to. Very, very historically based. It’s very informative and I feel like I learned a lot about the culture and historical conflict. That being said, it’s NOT an easy read. I think it’s worthwhile, but it’s TOUGH. Content warnings should be taken seriously. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and War

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual content, Mass/school shootings, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Torture

mmorice's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Wonderful book with an interesting insight in Korean history from a woman's perspective. Loved reading about the matriarchical culture of diving in Jeju. Very intense scenes describing the war repercussions on their island.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Police brutality, Colonisation, and War

kimberlynpeterson50's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

An amazingly detailed glimpse into a culture, country, and era I knew almost nothing about. See’s physical descriptions made me feel like I were walking through the villages myself, and I felt her characters’ depth of emotion viscerally. Friendship, family, and tradition are wrapped up in an immensely readable package.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Rape, Torture, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

melllllting's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Lisa See has done it again. I want to read everything she writes. 

Nobody has ever made me want to pick up a history book like Lisa See - even my best friend who is a history teacher and anthropologist/archaeologist. Her writing style captivates me and leaves me wanting to dive deeper. Hearing history told from a female perspective is so refreshing. 

I enjoyed how the narrative weaved together past and present, introducing a new perspective in the chapters set in 2008. The dual timeline enriches the story. 

The friendship between Young-sook and Mi-ja is raw, complex, and beautifully portrayed. A quote from Mi-ja in the chapter "The Ring of Fire," stuck with me: “Many people when they envision being faced with hardship believe they will fight back, but when I was a child and had to live with aunt and uncle, I learned what really happens … by the time I wanted to fight back, I was too weak.” This powerful reflection on resilience and vulnerability is a testament to See's ability to convey profound truths through her characters.

I’m giddy to read more from this author!!!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse

belletex's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

Very grim historical events from a personal pov. Goes from slow to very intense. I wish it had a happier ending because it leaves you feeling sad. Great book on the hole but not something I enjoyed reading or would pick up again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail