Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion

46 reviews

samiisteffenn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-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: Abortion, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Eating disorder

marithap's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Drug use

dirtbagdemimonde's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.75

Stark. Beautiful. So, so dark. This book, like no other I can think of in recent memory, felt like a heavy night.  I didn't expect to be so caught up in the weight.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion

Moderate: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Pregnancy, Rape, and Toxic relationship

cillehh's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Homophobia, Antisemitism, Alcohol, and Mental illness

sarah_hutchins's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion and Mental illness

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Blood

Minor: Body shaming, Addiction, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Drug use

todelisus's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

the last two pages sealed the deal

A fascinating, little book. Can’t say I enjoyed the story, more like I enjoyed what (and how) the author tried to tell the reader with the story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion and Mental illness

Moderate: Suicide and Emotional abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol

morenowagain's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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: Violence and Abortion

Moderate: Mental illness, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Grief, Drug abuse, Addiction, Suicide, Medical content, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Homophobia, and Drug use

Minor: Car accident

wendyeldred's review against another edition

dark emotional

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion

Moderate: Sexual assault, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

juicy_juice's review against another edition

challenging dark sad fast-paced

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

4.0

This book is what I believe living a Lana Del Rey song would feel like. With the detached main character reminding me of Catcher in the Rye, this novel is one to stick with you. Didion uses short prose which forces the reader to pick up on what is not being said in the dialogue. While this is not a happy read, it is sure to stick with you if you’ve ever struggled with mental illness or know you’re a bit self-destructive. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Drug abuse, Body horror, Drug use, and Sexual violence

Minor: Homophobia

kbates's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Drug use, and Alcohol