Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

75 reviews

k31r's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-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

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Physical abuse, Self harm, Pedophilia, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Vomit, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Violence

whatamidoing_rn's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This was a really quick read and it was really interesting too.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Self harm, and Rape

reddeddy's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

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

3.5

I think by today’s standards that it’s not anything revolutionary, it’s not a REMARKABLE read. That being said, I’m sure it was a much needed, powerful read when it was released. I think it should be read by middle school/high school aged kids.

also why did EVERYONE have that history teacher? No experience is unique.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Rape

Moderate: Self harm

Minor: Alcohol and Racism

drraytay's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is certainly a product of its time. There were a lot of instances of body shaming and slut shaming and even an instance of the well known ableist slur everyone was using in the 90s and 2000s. None of these instances added to the story in any meaningful way. This story is still an important one though for teens and adults alike. Any form of sexual assault feels incredibly alienating and silencing and Laurie Halse Anderson did a phenomenal job at showing that. 

Trigger warnings for rape, toxic friendships, toxic parents, bullying, slut shaming, body shaming, fatphobia, with brief ableism and minor self harm. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Bullying, and Ableism

duckydarlingg's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Rape, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship

midgereads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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

3.75

I read this for class and I really enjoyed it. It’s not the type of book that I would usually pick up but I’m glad I read it because it covers some very important themes of depression and sexual assault while also being funny and relatable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Bullying

Moderate: Rape and Blood

Minor: Pregnancy

brightface77's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Bullying

Minor: Self harm and Blood

te_ss_i's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Cursing, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Grief

phantasmfiend's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts