Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Violeta by Isabel Allende

65 reviews

ncghammo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Torture, and Addiction

dfram's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.5

i loved this book. the writing was incredible, i felt for the characters, i cried and i laughed. i love the format for this book

it reads like letters to an undisclosed person until well into half of the book probably!

i loved the full circle moments where all of my questions are answered. i was inspired by violeta's candid storytelling, i appreciate the historical background of that period of time. violeta sharing and honoring people she loved by sharing their stories is so powerful and moving and captivating. slow start, once i got into it i really liked it! i will be reading more isabel allende books in the future<3 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, War, and Death of parent

Moderate: Addiction, Pregnancy, and Suicide

eddalyd's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Der flotte Erzählstil lässt die Erzählungen oft oberflächlich erscheinen. Interessant waren sie historischen Streifzüge. Weniger gefallen hat mir, dass immer wieder betont wurde wie wohlhabend Violeta sei bzw. dass sie auch durch ihre Beziehungen viele Vorteile genießen konnte. Sie kam oft stark privilegiert rüber, was die Geschichte teilweise unrealistisch wirken und mich kaum mit Violeta sympathisieren lassen hat.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Violence, Drug abuse, and Death

Moderate: Abandonment, Addiction, Cancer, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Grief, Infertility, and Pregnancy

Minor: Abortion and Dementia

eveningreverie's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Expansive and thematically strong, though there are certain aspects to the frame that—at least for me—make some of Violeta’s inclusions a bit confusingly placed. I’m not saying we don’t need to hear

about her getting some good good

, but does her grandson? The choice to leave the country of residence unnamed was strong. 

Will update review after book club discussion.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Child death, and War

fireinherveinzz's review

challenging dark informative reflective sad tense medium-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

3.75

Violeta was very unlikable to me but she was relatable . Also just wow . This really reminds of wild swans but instead of a 3 generation story it’s just hers . 
Everything from the depression , to genocide, to domestic and financial abuse to addiction . And learning how to really live again at a mature age. Just wow.

if would’ve been interesting to see her grandsons reaction to reading this letter .

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Child death, Suicide, Death of parent, Genocide, and Grief

jnorwood's review

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, War, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Misogyny

Moderate: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Child death, Genocide, and Forced institutionalization

ayaminerva's review

adventurous dark inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

3.75

"I chose not to see, hear, or speak up during the most critical years. I'd surely have continued on in the same way straight through the dictatorship if the iron fist of oppression hadn't dealt me a direct blow."
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Structured like a memoir, the book takes us through generations and across countries as Violeta grows from a child to a centenarian and becomes witness to changes in political and sociocultural landscapes. These are captured as letters to her grandson, Camilo.  The upheavals and unrest are framed from an upper class perspective but the progression allows for development and a shift of stance and beliefs.

Offhand, I once wondered why historical fiction are almost always told in a middle-upper income lens. I know now that if it is the voice of the poor, the pages may end under 50 as they are most often the first targets of violence.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Minor: War and Pandemic/Epidemic

nreyno's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Torture, Body shaming, Violence, Infertility, Grief, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Abortion

albaface's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Addiction, and Suicide

Moderate: Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Homophobia

readbycarina's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Addiction, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: War, Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, and Rape

Minor: Body shaming