Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

44 reviews

mel_s_bookshelf's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Transphobia, Sexism, and Hate crime

marissasa's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

This multi-generational family book is unique and engaging, and unlike any story I've read before. The concept of identical twins splitting off and living vastly different lives that are complete opposites of each other, and their choices impacting the lives of their daughters in deep ways, is so fascinating on its own and Brit Bennett pulled it off in writing effortlessly and beautifully. Every character felt so fleshed out, flawed, and real, from the main family members to their partners and the side characters supporting them along the way. It was satisfying to read diverse and intersectional issues these characters went through being handled in such a well thought out way, and the author's writing really elevated her story with colorful language and noticeable but skillful use of literary devices. I was engaged throughout and found myself reading faster at times because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved the idea she put forward that there comes a point when you have been lying for so long that it becomes true for yourself because it is the reality you've chosen to live and believe. Once this story's television adaptation is ready I will be watching it the day it comes out! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual content

sjduncan's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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: Rape, Cursing, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Dementia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Hate crime

Minor: Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Transphobia, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexism

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Such a fascinating premise for a setting and for a storyline of a book. I knew that colorism existed, even among Black folx, but never thought about how far a group of people could take it. The main characters are all so different and yet so glaringly similar, even if they refuse to see it. The secrets we carry as daughters, sisters, mothers are complex and  many.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Body horror, Classism, Deadnaming, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Murder, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, and Toxic relationship

erd's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Love how the story is organized into chunks diving deeper on specific characters and their pain.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Death, Classism, Grief, and Rape

Minor: Drug abuse, Slavery, Stalking, Violence, Alcohol, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, and Pedophilia

None of content is over-the-top or overdone, all of it drives the story along.

ok7a's review against another edition

reflective slow-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Racism

Moderate: Death of parent, Dementia, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Grief

Minor: Bullying, Murder, and Hate crime

sib_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, Hate crime, Murder, Outing, Racism, Dementia, Grief, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Transphobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Medical content, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Blood, Drug use, Classism, Cursing, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Sexism, Animal death, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

mengzhenreads's review against another edition

challenging 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? Yes

4.5

This was an absolute masterpiece, and Brit Bennett is definitely becoming one of my auto-read authors. Bennett's ability to create intricate plot lines with complex characters and family dramas is just amazing. I got super invested in all of the character's growth and struggles throughout the story and honestly they're all just wonderful to read about. This book absolutely deserves all the hype it receives so if you've ever contemplated reading this, I would highly recommend doing so because even though it may seem daunting, the themes and discussions are wonderfully complex and thought-provoking while also being accessible. Absolutely delicious food for thought.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Dementia, Hate crime, and Sexual assault

Minor: Sexual content and Sexism

sahana_07's review against another edition

dark emotional informative 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism

Minor: Transphobia

This book is a great representation of black lives in rural white areas. It talks about racial difference and sisterhood in the most beautiful way ever. A diverse cast of characters including a trans character makes this all the more enjoyable. It is a must read to empathize with the minority community.

particledamage's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.25

 I'm ashamed to admit, it took me a bit to get into this book. Part 1 felt like more exposition than story, veering heavily into entire chapters that felt like they were screaming "These are the themes of this novel! Here is the allegory!" and it was hard to wade through at times. 

But once the story got truly going, pushing past character introductions and scene setting, an amazing story blossomed. This book is stuffed to the brim with a compelling cast and stories that you don't always encounter. It knows exactly what it wants to be and it takes you along with it, eager to travel through time and history.

I've been in a reading rut for ages but this story brought me back.

So, if there's anyone out there who maybe feels discouraged by Part 1, keep going, it's well worth it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Hate crime

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Sexism

Minor: Alcohol and Drug use