Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Praise Song for the Butterflies by Bernice L. McFadden

3 reviews

shewhoturnsallpages7834's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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? No

4.75

I absolutely love how quickly Bernice McFadden dives into a story and grabs your attention from the first sentence. Praise Song for the Butterflies tackles the topic of human trafficking Ukemby with a gentle touch that took my breath away. I appreciate the direct explanation of a trokosi, despite not understanding how Abeo’s eventual abandonment and healing would be linked it. The women of the novel were motivated by many things. For some religion, family expectations and shame limited their ability do take action. Other found purpose in seeking to serve and heal themselves by helping others. The fast pace of the novel kept me invested from start to finish.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Pedophilia, Violence, Suicide, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Infertility, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Rape, Alcoholism, Animal death, Slavery, and Trafficking

Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Trafficking

balladofreadingqueer's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I devoured this book so quickly. It is a largely linear narrative of a young girl Abeo given into ritual servitude and the horrors that happen to her there and her life after she leaves. 

The short novel covers two continents, and addresses distressing themes of rape, child abuse, familial separation and slavery.

It also explores familial and community love, strength, forgiveness and acceptance as key themes.

Would highly recommend 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Alcoholism, Child death, Sexual violence, Slavery, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, and Misogyny

bookiecharm's review

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Sexism

Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug abuse