Reviews tagging 'Racism'

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

6 reviews

katharina90's review against another edition

dark informative reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

This book left me with mixed emotions.

I appreciated the glimpses into what life was like in an impoverished Naples neighborhood in the 1950s and beyond. 

I came away with the impression that it was dark and violent, particularly for women, and that the rampant sexism of this time and place deeply affected female friendships, often turning them toxic and jealous rather than supportive and empowering. 

While this may be accurate and valuable from an educational standpoint, I didn't find it very enjoyable to read. It made the characters really unlikeable and so I wasn't invested in their story. I just wanted to get through it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, and Sexism

Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Fatphobia, Ableism, and Racial slurs

risemini's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Pedophilia, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, War, Ableism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, and Racism

alexcribbs's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

2.75

I know people adore this book, and I know it's part of a series, but nothing about this made me want to read any subsequent books. It starts off with her friend having disappeared herself and then the narrator spends the rest of the book talking about their childhood and nothing more.

The very LAST line had a cliffhanger, but again, not a good enough one to make me want to read another. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Violence

rainbowrachel's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Homophobia

codecat's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Minor: Homophobia and Racism

girlsownthevoid's review

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Sexism

Minor: Racism