Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

50 reviews

nyantastic's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A wild, intense, ride where nothing is quite what is seems so you can't know what is true. One of the fastest I've ever finished a book because I was so thoroughly invested in the story. It left me with a complicated mix of emotions about the Fair family! I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version.  It is perfect for the podcast/TV show theme the book has and it is narrated with a full cast which makes it really feel like you're listening to a real podcast.

⚠️ Definitely read the content warnings for this book if you have any triggers, there's a lot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Incest, Sexual assault, Torture, Blood, Excrement, Grief, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Pregnancy

youaremykiseki's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

1.0

Generally an interesting read and premise, although I wish the blurb had been a lot less revealing. I did like the slow reveal and unraveling, but I felt that there were a lot of loose ends that weren't quite addressed. One plot point that bothered me was

Nathan's supposed use of cocaine,

which never got mentioned again after

Alix found the plastic bag

. I think the

lack of backstory about Nathan made it impossible for the reader to figure out his motivations 
/reasons for the drinking problems, so I felt a bit cheated with the reveal at the end.

I liked that in the end

we still got conflicting stories: do we trust Josie's POV or do we trust her children's?

My last complaint is that there was a lot of talk about

the husband being a pedophile, but in the end he was painted as a good father, and loved by his children, and supposedly he was manipulated into a relationship with Josie, but that doesn't really answer how that's possible? Like, he was in his 40s and she was a teenager. How do you get manipulated into marriage in that situation?

I also just want to know why

nobody involved the police at any point until later. How did child services not find any problems in that home. Is she just a master liar and manipulator?

Anyway, the premise was intriguing, and I liked the format of switching POV and "mixed media" interspersed with the narration. I do wonder what the rules are for straight up saying there's a fictional Netflix series in the book. Overall wouldn't recommend the book but if you do read it, go in without reading the blurb.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Drug use and Pandemic/Epidemic

avearley16's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Stalking

Minor: Ableism and Abortion

mirandasmall's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, and Gaslighting

Minor: Ableism and Stalking

thatonelibrarygirl's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Well, well. I thought I had it all figured out because I read thrillers like this often. However, the very last two pages threw a wrench in my thought process. Very reminiscent of the end of Verity, I’m questioning everything. The title, None of This is True, is both deceiving and intriguing. Great job, Lisa.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault

Minor: Ableism

mackenziewrites's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

 

This one will suck you in from the beginning, the definition of “just one more page”. I don’t read many thrillers, so I can’t compare it to others in the genre, but if you need a book you can’t put down, pick this one up. 

 

The author does a fantastic job of giving you just enough breadcrumbs to question everything as she cycles back and forth between the present day and the future. It follows a popular podcaster and a stranger that approaches her hoping to be interviewed for a story. The woman takes over more than just her recording studio in a twisted scenario of idolization and obsession as this whodunnit unfolds. 

 

However, the ending didn’t help me feel complete, leaving us with just as many questions from beginning to end. Several key plotlines went unanswered and several bits of information seemed incredibly important that were either never neatly tied up or ignored completely in the final pages. The protagonist, although likable and relatable at times, never really takes responsibility for her choices, instead wallowing in self-pity until her payday comes. Certain actions from the antagonist didn’t align with her character as presented. 

 

The list of characters that you want to see brought to justice is endless – every person plays a role in the litany of crimes against humanity committed. We’re left not knowing what is real or who to believe. That sense of uneasiness and, dare I say, “ick factor” stays with you long after you shut the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting

juliamarievincent's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

avalon's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Me the first 95% of the book: okay that was pretty predictable

Me the final 5%: oh. Maybe i should have listened to the title

Seriously though the ending was pretty strong in my opinion, though it can be considered a sort of copout for any plotholes I still enjoyed it. Was it a perfect mystery? Not by any means. Was it fun? Absolutely!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Ableism, Kidnapping, Grief, and Death of parent

ivi_reads_books's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

The concept of a podcast unintentionally uncovering a crime is intriguing and adds a fresh twist to the story. However, while the premise is compelling, the ending feels somewhat predictable. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Death, Pedophilia, Medical content, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

katerina_l's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail