Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

27 reviews

nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence

pollyflorence's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Blood, Racial slurs, and Racism

kimmulholland's review against another edition

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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Hate crime

charlotte03's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, Misogyny, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Police brutality

tamzen's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

scarlettreadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Fifteen year old Ana Canción is proposed to by Juan Ruiz, promising her he will take her to New York City. He’s twice her age and there is no love between them, but for the sake of her family’s future, she must say yes. This is the opportunity for her family to finally emigrate to the United States. In 1965, Ana leaves everything behind to begin her new life in an apartment building in Washington Heights. As the Dominican Republic slides into political turmoil, Juan must return to save the family assets. Now, Ana is finally free to learn English and earn money of her own. But when Juan returns, she must choose between her heart and her head. 

I’ve got to admit I expected a bit more from a book shortlisted for the Women’s Prize. I found the first half of the book difficult to get through due to the slow pace. But the second half of the book captured me, and I finally started to enjoy it; by the end, I was really invested in Ana’s storyline. I did also learn a lot about the history of the Dominican Republic and their relationship between the USA. 

I’m still glad I read this as part of the #londonbookfriends book club pick for September, in honour of #latinxheritagemonth, and pushed me out of my reading comfort zone 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, and Toxic relationship

the_literarylinguist's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse