Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini

13 reviews

loesm's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, Sexism, Racism, and Murder

Minor: Alcoholism

tina94's review

challenging dark emotional reflective 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, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Incest, Infertility, Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, and Sexual content

Moderate: Racism

thewordsdevourer's review

challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.75

The Bread the Devil Knead is an immensely immersive yet subtly meaty book that would've undoubtedly gotten 4 stars if only I wasn't depressed reading abt the main character Alethea's surprisingly dark and challenging trials.

This novel is unique, I think, in its complex and deep-layered portrayal of an abusive relationship where the female victim can actually afford to leave w/o her life falling apart a lil. But she doesnt, and her reasons - or rather lifelong trauma-rooted conditioning - for not doing so unearth a whole can of worms that are truly disturbing. I feel for the main character while also being frustrated at times.

A lot of important issues - some rampant in Trinidadian society - are also tackled, such as racism, colorism, female identity outside of motherhood, misogyny, and ofc intergenerational abuse and trauma, and Allen-Agostini does so w/o making it overwhelming. Another thing I enjoy is Alethea's distinctive voice that can be both unintentionally dark and funny; it def makes the story even more memorable.

Overall, this is a novel riveting in both its darkness and glimmers of light. It manages to keep me glued to the pg in dread, and that's def sth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Gun violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Murder, and Death of parent

Minor: Abortion and Infertility