Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain

5 reviews

adelita18's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

1.0

There is only one redeeming point about this racism laden story of infidelity, abuse, and murder is that "karma" comes back with a vengeance for Cora and Frank. The narration by Stanley Tucci was hard to follow at times because he did not do much to change inflection/tone/character voice and Cain did not always indicate the speaker. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Racism

e_r_q's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

1.5

The Postman Always Rings Twice is famous for being "scandalous". However its famed violence is laughably juvenile, and its "iconic" eroticism is clunky and awkward. Even worse, the writing is bland, the characters are poorly written and dislikeable, and in the end, the actual plot feels really inconsequential. Also, the crude objectification of its female characters makes it evidently clear that this novella was written by a man.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Car accident, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

jolyon_l's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse

cepbreed's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Wow. I know now why they hail Cain as one of the authors of the early 1900s that was so ahead of his time.  This book reads like it was written yesterday, the action, the mystery, the eroticism all satisfy my 21st century brain which is something I didn’t think I’d ever find in a book nearing its 90th anniversary. This book is unapologetic it’s it’s graphic depictions of violence and sex, and the two as twisted sisters. I now want them to readapt this into film again. The book reads like a movie, as my professor put it there are 3 shots Cain sets up that keeps you engaged just like you would be if you were watching the action unfold in front of you. This book is perverted, but in a good way!

Songs:

• Off to the Races - Lana Del Rey  
• Ultraviolence - Lana Del Rey

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Blood, Car accident, Death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism

Moderate: Miscarriage, Medical content, and Alcohol

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, and Gun violence

kiyaah's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

i enjoyed it but hate how frank and cora instantly fell in love, overall a good book; i liked the storyline and plots.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Car accident, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent