Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

65 reviews

gluvsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

‘Speak’ is a graphic novel that explores the dark and haunting aftermath of being a survivor. It is so very needed in today’s society, the topics discussed may be on the heavier side but they are important nonetheless—there should be more books like this one especially in GN form to help reach younger audiences. 

It was an emotional read, watching Mel go through the stages of depression, anxiety and PTSD after her sexual assault. From her just wanting to hide and disappear to being able to stand up and speak for herself; from feeling numb, to finally seeing the light was most empowering. 

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Quotes: 

“It takes more to scare me now.” 

“If I try hard enough, maybe I can gobble up my whole head and disappear.”

“I wash my face until there is nothing legit of it. No eyes, no nose… no mouth. A slick nothing.”

“The whole point of not talking about it, of silencing the memory, is to make it go away. It won’t.” 

“I just need to hang on long enough for my new skin to graft.”

“They don’t even know me. They have no clue what’s in my head.” 

“It’s beginning to feel like IT raped my mind, too.” 

“I survived.”

“Frozen stillness melts inside me. Shards of ice drip to the floor and vanish int the puddle of sunlight.” 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Rape, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Racism, and Sexism

annabelreadsandwrites's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Rape

Moderate: Self harm

Minor: Sexism and Racism

sincere_mammoth's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Bullying, Rape, and Sexual violence

good_names_dont_exist's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, and Rape

clairikine's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Self harm

clockwork_hel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Bullying

jrs_55's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Self harm, Mental illness, and Sexual assault

antireading's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Bullying, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Eating disorder, Xenophobia, and Vomit

lynna_love's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

Devastador, duro, doloroso… No encuentro las palabras correctas para describir lo que vivió esta chica, tuve un nudo en la garganta en todo momento al leer esta novela, me estremezco en solo pensar en las mujeres que habrán tenido que vivir esto y en las muchas que no lograron sobrevivir…

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

samjd92's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm