Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

My Life as a Rat by Joyce Carol Oates

5 reviews

hue's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective

4.0

Utterly painful, yet the story felt like it took a sudden turn when Metti came around. Prehaps it's just me. When he was gone it returned to its former "prose".

I am glad to have read this. It was intense. I am saddened for Violet's sake.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol

orlagal's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

2.75

A deep dive into trauma,  dysfunction,  and cycles of abuse. Oates shifts from first person to  both second and third person,  which made it feel choppy, and harder to stay engaged in. I might not have finished it if I didn't have a book club discussion on it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Dementia, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

tctimlin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

fructosebaby's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Minor: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Infidelity, Car accident, Death of parent, and War