Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

42 reviews

cheyne's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual content

angelaf's review against another edition

challenging 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? It's complicated

3.0

Dominicana tells the story of a 15-year-old coming to New York from the Dominican Republic as a young wife. It is partially a coming-of-age story in which Ana finds her own voice and strength and part immigrant story as she learns to survive in a new city and culture. Trigger warning: abuse. Read if you enjoy: immigrant stories, the work of Elizabeth Acevedo, women telling their stories 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse

nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence

pollyflorence's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-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, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Blood, Racial slurs, and Racism

ellik6612's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful slow-paced

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

5.0

Loved this book. Nice pace, set over a year. A very vivid picture painted of a specific New York and Dominican Republic at a particular time, was very immersed in the era. Challenging relationships between the characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

aquakerwitch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• 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: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, Racism, Incest, Grief, and Emotional abuse

cbrooks288's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Child abuse

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Racial slurs, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Physical abuse

Minor: Vomit, Police brutality, and Medical trauma

georgiawye's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

3.0

I thought this was well-written and easy to read in terms of not getting bogged down in heavy prose.  I’m conscious of the fact that this story is based in truth and real history, both of the author’s mother but also of so many other women, however I found it to be largely without hope and therefore not the most enjoyable to read. I understand that this is reality, but as a novel I found it somewhat unsatisfying, perhaps a epilogue or some further reflection of would have made for a more conclusive feel at the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape

scarlettreadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Fifteen year old Ana Canción is proposed to by Juan Ruiz, promising her he will take her to New York City. He’s twice her age and there is no love between them, but for the sake of her family’s future, she must say yes. This is the opportunity for her family to finally emigrate to the United States. In 1965, Ana leaves everything behind to begin her new life in an apartment building in Washington Heights. As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan must return to save the family assets. Now, Ana is finally free to learn English and earn money of her own. But when Juan returns, she must choose between her heart and her head. 

I’ve got to admit I expected a bit more from a book shortlisted for the Women’s Prize. I found the first half of the book difficult to get through due to the slow pace. But the second half of the book captured me, and I finally started to enjoy it; by the end, I was really invested in Ana’s storyline. I did also learn a lot about the history of the Dominican Republic and their relationship between the USA. 

I’m still glad I read this as part of the #londonbookfriends book club pick for September, in honour of #latinxheritagemonth, and pushed me out of my reading comfort zone 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, and Toxic relationship