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kaleys23's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Medical trauma
Minor: Death of parent
kkbray's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Rape
Minor: Child death, Racism, and Death of parent
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really felt like I got to know all of the characters (even those without a POV, like Hannah – Scott’s well-meaning but ignorant white girlfriend) because all of the characters were so fully human in their interactions, rationale for behaviours, and personalities (especially interactions among the Traverse family). I've seen other reviews saying that the large cast was confusing and hard to connect with but that wasn't my personal experience - the family tree was useful but my takeaway was that specific relationship titles were less important that the support and familial bonds they shared.
Spoiler for discussing some character actions.
I also appreciated the double meaning of the Break – it’s both the name of the land where the assault happens, and a representation of a break in the timeline/reality for Emily and her family – the Before and After because of this event. People break away from others, break away from their bad habits (or fail to), and break hearts.
I think my favourite thing I take away from this novel is how well the women in this family support each other. Despite hardships and traumas they’ve faced in their pasts, and various difficulties they have with each other, they love and support their family.
One question I do have is why all the POVs are limited third person except for Lou (the aunt and social worker), who’s in first person. I’m not sure why Vermette made that choice. It didn’t detract from the novel as a whole but, in my limited view, I don’t know what it added.
The writing is also fairly straightforward - it's easy to read (in contrast to the subject matter) but Vermette knows how to make an impact with some powerful statements throughout the text. For those who prefer more flowery or overly descriptive language, this won't be the writing style for you.
Overall, I thought The Break was a fantastic novel and I can’t wait to read the companion follow-up, The Strangers.
Trigger/Content warnings: on-page rape/sexual assault with an object, physical assault, vicarious trauma, slurs and outdated language used on Indigenous people. Domestic violence, alcoholism, child death, drug addictions, and references to gangs are also mentioned in the text. However, there’s also lots of wonderful healing discussions and reliance on family and traditions to support each other through these events. As the book says, it’s about recovering and healing from violence and trauma.
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Child death, Drug abuse, and Pregnancy
jecunninghamreads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, and Alcohol
lauren00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Dementia, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
kelseak96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Medical trauma
cptnstphy's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy
brookepower's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment
lilcoppertop's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
spaghettireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The storytelling is great in this book, Vermette puts together a multi perspective novel so well. There are so many complex and interesting characters, and you leave the book caring about all of them. This is the type of book that you need to trust that it’s all going to come together, and it does. This was a great book club pick too, since there was a lot to discuss and reflect on!
I would highly recommend reading this if you haven’t already! This will likely be one of my favourite fiction reads of the year. I am really looking forward for The Strangers, which comes out next month and follows some of the same characters.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol