Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

151 reviews

quinn12_'s review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Grief, Violence, Dementia, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, Murder, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, and Terminal illness

karenmariscalo's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Classism

Moderate: Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Gaslighting, Racism, Physical abuse, Death, and Death of parent

grboph's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I think this was the best book I've read so far this year. The story was unique and very well thought out, and it had some of the most interesting characters of any book I've ever read. The story was very thought-provoking and made me think about the concepts of history and identity in ways I had not before. I also really liked that it explored the motivations behind each of the characters' choices and stories in ways that really made the reader think about them. Bennett is a wonderful writer and tells the story so remarkably well. I will definitely be thinking about this book for a long time into the future. I would recommend this book to just about anyone in the world, and particularly anyone who is looking for a good historical-fiction book to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, Racism, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Racial slurs, Medical content, Hate crime, Classism, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content, Homophobia, and Transphobia

The twins' separation (and one's abandonment of the other) drives much of the action in this book, as does one twin's escape from her abusive husband which leads her back to her hometown. Also, many of the things that happen to the characters in this book are a result of racism, such as people denying them jobs and their father's death at the hands of a mob. Additionally, the main characters' mother dies after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

pershie13's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

This book brought so many themes and perspectives to the table, and I absolutely loved it! It started a bit slow but eventually diverged into multiple different viewpoints across generations and locations. I could not put it down for the second half of a book and tore through it. Brit Bennett provided so many perspectives on race, class, and identity, just to name a few themes laced throughout this book, and this book will have me thinking for a long time on how people who grow up together doing everything together can lead completely different lives based on the choices and identities they make. One of my favorite books I've read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual content

Minor: Dysphoria, Sexual assault, and Child abuse

jess_yasmyn's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual assault

mangela_28's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

3.5

The Vanishing Half tells the story of inseparable twins who ultimately live vastly different lives. It brings to life how one generation effects the next and so on. It follows family, chosen family, lies, truths, and race. The writing was great, the audiobook narrator was great. It usually kept my interest, but didn't push me to keep reading. I think it dragged in the middle a little. The beginning of each section when you're getting all the new info, and the ending when everything is juxtaposed perfectly were the most interesting parts.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Hate crime, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Dementia

Minor: Sexual assault

elisalasater's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Racism

Moderate: Bullying and Sexual assault

Minor: Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Dementia, Pregnancy, and Stalking

daisiesandbees's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Body shaming, and Violence

Minor: Blood, Grief, and Drug use

gabgeh's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

4.5

Fantastic writing, unique concept expertly explored. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Abandonment, Body shaming, Classism, Racial slurs, Violence, and Physical abuse

maartabarrales's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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: Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent

Moderate: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Hate crime