Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Il giardino delle magie by Alice Hoffman

41 reviews

shel_bay11's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

1.0

This was painful. Entire thing felt like one long run-on sentence (which there were many of). Needs major editing. Has potential. Stick to the movie on this one 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse

jude7's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A great book and I'm super excited for the prequels and sequel!! It's a bit different from the movie but I don't think I would say I like one more than the other - the ways the movie is different actually add to the story and simplify some of it. I really enjoyed more of the backstory of Sally and Gillian that is in the book vs barely any in the movie!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Bullying, Death, and Death of parent

brittishliterature's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Such a perfect October/Halloween read! I was drawn into the narrative very quickly and looked forward to picking the book up every day. I enjoyed Hoffman's writing style and structure for this novel - it often felt like magic weaving in and out through multiple viewpoints and character stories to create a beautiful tapestry. I usually don't read much magical realism, but after this one, I look forward to trying out the genre more! 

The ending felt a little anticlimactic, and I would have liked to spend more time with how it ended. But nonetheless, the ending and the relationships between the Owens family left my heart feeling warm and happy. Overall, I loved it and can't wait to continue with the others in the series at some point! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Grief

Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent

puf's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful mysterious relaxing 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death of parent

alisylvi's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious slow-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

2.25

Wanted more magic and witchy things :(

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder

claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

I was immediately enchanted by this funny, sweet, magical story of sisterhood. The sisters of the Owens family are far from perfect, but so charming that you can’t help but love them. The magic is subtle and satisfying, because everyone gets what’s coming to them (good and bad). I loved how Hoffman wove superstitions and folklore through the story, some common and some I’d never heard of.

I hit a bit of a reading slump mid-read, so it took me a while to finish, but definitely not because I didn’t enjoy the book. I’ve noticed that, for some reason, books with super long chapters (like this one, which is divided into 4 sections rather than traditional chapters) take me a lot longer to finish than books with shorter chapters.

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe of the ending):

It’s satisfyingly happy.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol

lain_darko's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

hbby's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Rape

bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

dark hopeful medium-paced

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

4.5

I just finished rereading this, and I have to admit it’s been awhile since I’ve read it - simply because I don’t really reread books. 

This is a book I’ve long considered one of my all time favorites, but I think that honor may be given to Magic Lessons (which is part of this series, and tells the story of Maria Owens). 

BUT, this book is still great... I just think Alice Hoffman has perfected telling the stories of the Owens women the farther she gets into the series. I cannot wait for the final installment (The Book of Magic) to come out later this year.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Child death

syltetoy's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective 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

5.0

I had no idea the movie was based on a book! I haven’t watched it since I was a kid but I remember I loved it. From what I remember, the movie is much more action-oriented? The book is very much about love and family and expectations and the magic is small. Hoffman has a way of describing that blends simile with magic and it just was lovely to listen to. I found it easy to imagine scenes, the descriptions are very sensory. I just really really enjoyed this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Car accident