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secre's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a historic tale of the imbalance between the genders and how the power held by men can be used in brutal and unjust manners. It's beautiful, tragic and haunting. One violent act spills over and ruins multiple lives over decades, each one a cascading pin that rebounds to the next. And yet, the actual trial is over and done with very quickly. But that one act and the miscarriage of justice turns into something far wider and deeper.
This is a dark book in many ways, but it doesn't revel in the misery. It explores the misogyny and power imbalances of the time in both a personal and wider societal framework, touching on a number of lives in the process. Amazingly, each and every one of them come to life through the pages. It touches on some important moments in history; the suffragette movement and World War I being the key contenders. These are woven into the fictional narrative with skill and dexterity, highlighting the impact on the characters lives.
It twists and turns, capturing the choices both bad and good that can make or destroy lives. It's thoughtful and contemplative at points, deeply tragic and sad at others. And yet it is a masterpiece of writing that is both compelling and haunting. It is certainly a novel that will stay in my mind for some time to come.
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Mental illness, and Death of parent
adelheid's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Addiction, Grief, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Gaslighting, Self harm, War, and Police brutality
Minor: Alcohol
anapthine's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: War, Sexual violence, Gore, Gaslighting, Death, Suicide, Rape, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexism, Drug use, Confinement, Torture, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content and Alcohol
bookswithruby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexual violence, War, Suicide, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Police brutality, and Forced institutionalization