Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - The Bread the Devil Knead

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini

169 reviews

inneraman's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

As mentioned by Kei Miller, “You dip into the first page and don’t come up for breath until the last…thoroughly enjoyable” and I would add brilliantly written

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dramagirl2003's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.25

it was sad *cue cartoon sad face*, but just like the places i've cried in public, which I read earlier this year, it was enlightening to read some of the reasons why people stay in abusive relationships. I'm rooting for alethea to grow in her non-toxic friendships and become her own woman

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siobhanward's review against another edition

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challenging 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? No

4.0

This is a book where you should absolutely check the triggers before reading - other reviewers and sites have detailed info on what to expect.

This was a short, but strong work. While the dual timelines felt a bit disjointed at first, as things came together the use of the two timelines became a powerful storytelling tool. I really appreciated that Alethea was not a broken or hopeless character. She was strong and independent and forging her own way, while still lifting others up around her. Too often in these kinds of stories do authors allow their characters to become totally defeated with everything happening to them outside of their control.

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leereseite's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-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

3.75

A very intense Story about a woman who refused for a long time to acknowledge her past traumas and she was shaped by her past.

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nokvi's review

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dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Amazing book written completely in trini dialect. The Bread the Devil Knead takes us into an deep dive into Trinidadian life as we go thru the motions with Alethea as she deals with the demons of her past and present. Abuse from her childhood has followed her into adulthood till that is all she knows. And the lightheart manner via which these heavy topics are delivered is an icing on the cake as it is reflective of how someone in the situation may view the matter.

No notes 10/10

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katyhargreads's review

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challenging reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

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abbie_'s review

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.25

I’ve read quite a few books this year that focus on domestic violence towards women and girls (Tomorrow I Become a Woman, Too Much Lip, How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House) and of these I think The Bread the Devil Knead is the one best written. You can’t really say ‘favourite’ with such harrowing reads, but of the books tackling these topics I’ve read lately, Allen-Agostini has penned the most memorable.

Written entirely in Trinidadian Creole, the book is narrated by Alethea, a 40-year-old manager of a clothing boutique who usually fends off friendships from other women. Her live-in boyfriend Leo beats her regularly, and Allie is fiercely determined to keep her affairs private. But when a woman is murdered by her lover in front of Allie’s shop and a chance encounter reunites her with her adopted brother, Allie is forced to reassess her life.

Allen-Agostini makes use of past and present chapters so we get a well-rounded view of all the events that have shaped Allie’s life. And please be warned that these events are some of the toughest you will read about - childhood r*pe, inc*st, physical abuse. Allie’s voice is so distinct and enjoyable (not in content!!) to read that you cannot help but root for her. I loved that after years of not allowing anyone into her interior life, she starts to open up to female friendships. Her relationship with her brother Colin was also a welcome relief from the trauma of her life.

I think it’s obvious that the author is also a stand-up comedian, because despite the heaviness of the content, there’s a lightness to it through Allie’s humour. The ending is also incredibly cathartic, so although I’d recommend this one with caution, just know that there is some hope at the end!

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