Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander

12 reviews

roseapickles's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual violence

savvyrosereads'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for providing me with a free audio copy!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Meredith has not left her house for over three years, but slowly begins to make progress on the journey to healing with the help of her friends.

This is extremely character-driven literary fiction, and I’m glad I read it on audio because that is usually my preferred format for that genre! I expected a meditation on mental health, and instead got one on friendship, sisterhood, and trauma…which is fine, but not exactly what the synopsis seems to suggest. That said, I found the characters really enjoyable, and Meredith’s journey was super poignant and beautiful. I was a bit frustrated because I kept wanting *more* from the book (though exactly what I can’t articulate)…but would still recommend to lit fic lovers in the mood for some very deep topics!

CW: Self harm; sexual assault; physical and emotional abuse; mental health/trauma generally

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders

lymadebell's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

3.5

A slice of life book that is about an agoraphobe. I thought this book showed a real growth of character for Meredith and honestly, even for Tom and Meredith's sister Fiona. This book was still incredibly sad even though there was growth and happiness. It was all about trauma and grief and how we deal with it. I wish this book was a bit more happy, but it felt more real that it didn't have magical happy endings all over the place. If you're looking for a book about mental health and how humans deal with grief and trauma, this is a great book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Miscarriage

There was wide descriptions of emotional abuse from a parent. There was also a number of situations where rape was mentioned or eluded to.

coligmueller's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Self harm

theonlybaillie's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.5

This book, while such a good read, is also a super hard read. I recommend to only read this book in a good headspace, because it is very heavy and definitely not for everyone.

But it was for me amazingly. There are elements of hope and light in the darkness, such as found family and supportive friends. There is also very deep complex trauma and family relationships in this book, and the entirety of the effects and messy healing process are not concealed or tied in a pretty bow. We get the real, raw deal in this book. Not a lighthearted read, but a real read with a lot of depth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Violence, Death, Cancer, and Abandonment

mackenziebauman's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Domestic abuse

melissa_b_67's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Rape, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts

mommybookwyrmm's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

wellreadmegs's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-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

There were a lot of things I liked about this book and a few things I didn't. I liked how quick the chapters were and the flashbacks between chapters really helped provide context to Meredith's situation. 

This could be a really heavy read for someone who has experienced a lot of trauma - especially familial trauma. I could see how some people thought this book was depressing but I found the comeback of Meredith so uplifting. The main character Meredith reminded me a lot of the main character in Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. 

Tom was an elite character and I refuse to believe he ended up with Celeste and NOT Meredith. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual assault

Moderate: Emotional abuse

brokenbodybitch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Mental illness, Rape, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, and Ableism