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Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
40 reviews
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
This is a feminist tirade against the abuse of women in the 18th and 19th Centuries, and nothing about it is gentle. I am not one to cry at books but I had tears in my eyes reading about the conditions at the private insane asylum - women chained half-naked in feces up to their ankles is just one example of the many cruelties and injustices.
The author has done copious research on the Regency period of England (1811-1820), and it tells in the detail she brings to the story. This would be a good companion to Jane Austen’s books and the somewhat later ones of the Bronte’s. They focused on polite society whereas this book shows a part of England they may not have known existed.
Unfortunately for me, this book was only just published so I’ll have to wait all too long for the sequel. I know it will be well worth the wait, but still….
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
turrean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
However, the lighthearted Austenesque situation at the beginning of the book is quickly overshadowed by some horrific set pieces (the brothel, the hospital, the madhouse.) The descriptions of human trafficking, rape, brutal and inhuman incarceration, and the tortures of surgery with no anesthesia were doubtless historically accurate but no less painful to read. The copy of the book I read had an excerpt of a review right above the title: “Smart and sassy!!” which was an odd choice for a book that tells unflinchingly of the treatment of women in that era.
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Trafficking, and Medical trauma
The book is tagged as “lighthearted” by many readers. No. It’s not.alyssajp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Rape
mareliweb1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Rape
katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Incest, Infertility, Racism, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
katross4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Medical trauma
wordnerdy's review against another edition
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
srivalli's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Excrement and Medical content
Moderate: Child abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Incest
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
And I particularly enjoyed them not being 19 and sheltered.
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child abuse
leahjanespeare's review against another edition
5.0
I also really loved the inclusion of marginalized identities from the era like queer people and people of color - not shying away from how they were treated at that time, and the pervasiveness of society's prejudices and harmful practices.
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Racism, and Sexual assault