Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

Cantoras by Caro De Robertis

44 reviews

ldyb's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

Falls in the category of lesbian trauma 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Rape, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, and Police brutality

Minor: Antisemitism, Suicide, and Adult/minor relationship

jrow's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed the first half of the book, but the tone and pace felt like it changed drastically during the second half and it was hard to keep my attention with the repetition of the reflections. Otherwise, it was very beautifully written.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Police brutality

Moderate: Outing, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Torture

Minor: Death of parent and Adult/minor relationship

breanneporter's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Absolutely incredible novel. Cantoras follows 5 sapphic Uruguayan women from 1973 to 2013, who come together, become family to each other, and build a refuge for themselves in a beach town called Cabo Pollonia, down the coast from their home in Montevideo, which was under a military dictatorship from 1973 to 1985. I knew next to nothing about Uruguayan political history before reading this novel, and following these fierce, lovable, brave Uruguayan gay women as they fell in and out of love and friendship was such a beautiful way to learn about this piece of history. I love that the novel covers decades in these women’s lives, but never felt rushed, and the characters all felt so supremely real. I cried often, from horror and sadness and also happiness and relief. I desperately want to see the mini series version of this novel; for now I’ll settle for rereading it again soon. Brb, recommending it to everyone I know (though please check content warnings, as this is not a lighthearted journey). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Suicide, Police brutality, and Torture

Moderate: Religious bigotry and Adult/minor relationship

kelsiepixler's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

The story was slow at points, and I had to set page goals to keep myself from putting it down in the beginning. That being said, the last 1/3 of the book made it a worthy read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Infidelity, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Suicide, Homophobia, Alcoholism, and Abandonment

Minor: Miscarriage, Outing, Kidnapping, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, and Misogyny

hannahmartian's review against another edition

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Suicide

Moderate: Torture and Police brutality

Minor: Pedophilia

mmccombs's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

Phenomenal writing complimenting a compelling story, an unexpected gem of a novel! The characters were wonderful and I really enjoyed the strong sense of place throughout the novel. I think my only complaint was how Malena’s character/story was handled, I understand why we didn’t get her POV until the end of the book, but I just don’t think that did her character or the larger story justice. Beyond that, this was probably one of the best works of historical fiction I’ve read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Suicide, Rape, Sexual harassment, Lesbophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Sexual violence

kateyhb's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

This book took me a few weeks to finish, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wanted to savor every page. This book touched me deeply with its authentic portrayal of sapphic love when life and death depended on its secrecy. This book is beautiful, heartbreaking, moving. I don’t know if a non-queer person would truly appreciate it, but I think it’s a mandatory read for all sapphics out there. 

Heads up, read the trigger warnings for this one. Definitely some heavy topics.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Homophobia, Suicide, Sexual assault, and Torture

Moderate: Mental illness, Infertility, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief

ddaria's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Loved this book, great balance of storytelling and history. Just one star less because i felt like the writing style of the dialogues wasn’t really flowing, but the overall story and character development made up for it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Rape, and Suicide

ktrain3900's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

I'm not sure I have much (if anything) to say that hasn't already been said: it's beautiful, hopeful, heartbreaking, layered, powerful, yearning, joyous, mournful, sexy, difficult, triumphant. It's a celebration of resistance and hard work, as well as escape and survival. Most of all, it's a paean for queer love among women and female friendship. If you can't be moved by this book, consider your heart made of stone. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual content, Infidelity, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide

lottieroe's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Suicide, Sexual violence, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, and Misogyny