Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

La figlia unica by Guadalupe Nettel

5 reviews

dizzzybrook's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

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

4.75

Still Born had been on my shelf for quite a long time prior to picking it up last night and staying up much too late to finish it in one sitting. I really loved how this book was paced, switching back and forth between Laura and Adina's stories, both not only demonstrating two very complex sides of motherhood but also the ways in which motherhood inherently affects everyone around us. For a book of this size, I was impressed by how well Nettel was able to give these characters depth without spending tons and tons of pages convincing the reader to care. The chapters are short and relatively straight to the point but no nuance or empathy is lost. The only thing preventing this from being a full 5 stars for me is that the last quarter of the book felt a tad bit choppy and rushed. To an extent, there are a couple of points throughout where the commentary on motherhood felt slightly preachy, but I wouldn't say that it ever made me want to stop reading. Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2024 for sure. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Infertility, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism and Sexual content

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

5.0

a raw portrait of womanhood in the decision to have or not have children. a very important and powerful little book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Infertility, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Death, Blood, Medical content, Abortion, Child death, Infidelity, Grief, Medical trauma, Sexual content, and Terminal illness

sakisreads's review against another edition

challenging hopeful reflective 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? No

3.5

This was recommended to me on BookTok and I thoroughly appreciated what Guadalupe Nettel wanted to explain.
The difficulties of friendships, the pains of motherhood, etc. felt present and real. I also felt myself getting attached to Doris and Niçolas, the protagonist’s neighbours, as well as her friend Alina. They were all so hurt and so human! 🥲

BookTok had said this was going to be life-changing. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t feel that way. However, I still felt touched by it and would like to read similar works maybe one day 😊

3.5 out of 5 stars for me, thank you ✨

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Body horror, and Chronic illness

marijne's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Abortion, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse

giulia_bis's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Death

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child death, Infertility, Medical trauma, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders