Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

6 reviews

jazful's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• 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: Confinement, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Classism, Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Colonisation, Drug use, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Racism

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Blood, Bullying, and Colonisation

sarahmcg's review

challenging emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
My rating: 5⭐️

What to expect: 
Dual POV, 2 young black women
Themes of love, family, and motherhood
1950s Philadelphia and Washington DC

My review: 
After reading Johnson’s book Yellow Wife, I added the House of Eve to my TBR knowing I would love it. The juxtaposition of Ruby and Eleanor’s stories was so thought-provoking with seeing similarities in their stories, but also how race, class, colorism, and societal expectations affected them in different ways. This novel was at times harrowing and heartbreaking, and at other times joyful and hopeful. I enjoyed seeing Eleanor’s passion for archival work, and Ruby’s dreams of becoming an optometrist; I love reading about brilliant women, and the difficult choices they have to make. 
Something I love about Johnson is that she based characters in her book on real people. It makes them so vibrant and it is so easy to empathize with and cheer for them. She addresses difficult topic realistically, but with compassion.
I listened to this on audiobook, and really loved the narration by Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis. Plus, the author read an author’s note at the end which is worth a listen.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Miscarriage, Classism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Infertility

Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse

Minor: Misogyny

moniipeters's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Death, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Violence, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Confinement, and Cursing

eleasereads's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Abortion, Sexual content, Racism, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, and Abandonment

odifranco23's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Infertility, Sexual content, and Sexual assault

noble_editorial's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This is an incredible novel! It's an evocative commentary on how class and race intersect, but also a stirring, often heartrending, exploration of motherhood. The history captured by the author is fascinating, as is her exploration of colorism within the Black community. It often feels uncomfortable, as it should. However, this book goes well beyond a searing critique of American society and norms in the 1950s; all of the traditional storytelling elements are equally strong, creating an immersive and emotional experience for the reader. The time period is captured exquisitely, there's a cast of complex but relatable and (mostly) likable characters, the story is perfectly plotted and paced, and the stakes feel real. This was a joy to read!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Infertility, Medical trauma, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Classism, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping