Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

3 reviews

joshkiba13's review against another edition

emotional funny relaxing sad 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

Like The Wednesday Wars, I've listened to this story so many times. It's touching to see a character from the aforementioned novel that we likely misjudged become the protagonist of his own story. It also deals with some complicated Vietnam War era issues, as well as emotional abuse and illnesses. It's such a fantastic story and I'm sure I'll be back. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse

Minor: Terminal illness and War

chaoticbeing's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

I was told by the author that I have read the book more than him. Extremely gripping. You forget that you’re reading a piece of fiction and not the main character’s personal journal. Great entry point for people looking to read historical/realistic fiction.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Physical abuse, Bullying, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Ableism, Sexism, and Animal death

Goes into detail about the trauma Doug’s oldest brother got from Vietnam. There’s a graphic scene that could be seen as a parallel for family sexual assault where Doug’s father takes him to an unknown location while drunk and forces him to get a tattoo.

madzie's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

Schmidt crafts a beautiful coming-of-age story about the power of art and community. At the heart of the story, Schmidt writes essential themes for young adults and adults alike about the origin of pain and how it drives our interactions. Every moment of the book feels perfectly real, including the lively and loveable characters. The quick-paced writing style works very well in its favor, reading like a middle schooler's thoughts and allowing the story to flow naturally. Schmidt deeply touches his audience, at times even making me cry (a hard feat for a writer). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, and Cancer

Moderate: Alcohol, War, Alcoholism, Ableism, and Physical abuse

Minor: Medical content