Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Ein wenig Leben by Hanya Yanagihara

3354 reviews

booksandbrainsquirrels's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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 A Little Life is one of those books that everyone needs to read, but I also hate that I had to read it. The writing style is addictive, powerful, and tells the story beautifully. I was initially intimidated by the length; however, it became clear quickly that the slow pacing is essential to the development and gaining investment in Jude’s history. It doesn’t take long to fall in love with the characters, which makes it all the harder to watch them go through everything they encounter. In the beginning, it’s a little tricky to keep track of all the characters and how they are connected; however, once Jude’s story begins developing, everything comes together nicely, and all the side characters’ roles become clear. The pace is slow and the book is long, but so infuriatingly worth it. 

 

I was much more invested in Jude and Willem’s perspectives than JB and Malcolm’s; they felt more like side characters than essential to the plot arc. I really enjoyed Harold’s perspective and hearing the story being told through his voice as the story developed. 

The parallel of Harold and the son he’d lost and his relationship with Jude was beautiful.

I loved the blend of flashback and present-day scenes, and it was much more effective to hear Jude’s story this way than if he were simply relaying his trauma to someone. On occasion, it was difficult to tell when the timeline had shifted; it wasn’t a natural chapter break, which I might have preferred. (I’m not a huge fan of super-long chapters!) The trauma was devastating but painfully realistic and eye-opening. 

 

Lengthy, heavy, and difficult. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before you read, but it is so incredibly worth the time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt

serisarchives's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 49%

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt

lux_004's review against another edition

4.5

reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Es uno de esos libros que te marca. Es incómodo, intenso y duele. Sé que no voy a poder dejar de pensar en él en mucho tiempo

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt

Minor: Car accident

giuggix888's review against another edition

5.0

emotional sad 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

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it's my favorite book, I love the characters, It made me cry like a fountain. It made me empathize with the protagonist

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail

This is not a children's book. If you are experiencing a period of mental weakness, don't read it. Protect your mind. I recommend reading it during a calm period in your life.

kaitcope's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt

Minor: Car accident

x_patrycja's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment

beactress's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Chronic illness

danastefany's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Suicide attempt

edweed's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt

bellewright12's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

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So vivid, so beautiful, so heartbreaking. I won't forget this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Violence