Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

166 reviews

dommymartinez's review against another edition

challenging funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction and Drug use

Minor: Racial slurs and Racism

lottiegasp's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.25

This novel follows 4 generations of the Del Valle and Trueba family, led by compassionate matriarch Clara the clairvoyant and brutal conservative patriarch Esteban. It explores the politics of the unspecified Latin American country in which it is set, including conservative rule, a blip of Socialism, followed by a military coup. I thought it was overall well-written but not in a way where I was taken in by the aesthetics of the writing. It was quite bleak in how it portrayed both conservative and Socialist governance, as well as the horrible behaviours of Trueba, which he could completely get away with as the patriarch. There was a feminist message throughout of showing the women as strong, compassionate characters, but I disliked how much they forgave Trueba - I guess this reflects reality that you still might love your family members who do shitty things, but I found that the effect of this was that it watered down the messages of what is right and wrong. I didn't totally engage with the characters, and for quite a lot of the book I didn't find the plot particularly engaging because it was so focussed on the minute details of the household and each member of the family. I don't really feel compelled to read more of Allende's works after finishing this one.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Rape

Moderate: Incest, Pedophilia, Violence, Police brutality, and War

dorkira's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Classism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, and Police brutality

april_liebt_libros123's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

This story is LONG but not without intention. As a multi-generational tale, I was often left wondering what was the point of it all. There is a rather extended climax of the end of the book, but it ties all the experiences of the many varied characters together in a way the mirrors the story telling of its protagonists. I finished it feeling an appreciation for the journey it took me on, even if it took me a minute to get there. While I won't say I ENJOYED this book, I do definitely feel like I learned from it and have a good representation of this style of writing and what the author is known for. I'm grateful for the read, even if I had to force myself through some of it.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

amandadasso's review against another edition

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Sexual harassment

mightyoscura's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation

amgarrido's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Classism

skybluespines's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.75

I really enjoyed this book, but it is slow. I felt like I was in it for the long haul. There's quite a bit of violence (with intention). To some extent, I may just not have been in the right head space for this book at this time. (I've been reading a lot of Latino and magical realism books lately, and I think I just need to shift into a different genre for a bit and come back to it.)

This follows a family in their day-to-day lives and interactions over the course of 3 generations. It is beautiful and skillfully written, as Allende is a master of her craft. It was just too long for me—although I don't know that her message would have come across as clearly had it been shorter. I think the end especially brought everything together masterfully. I didn't realize it was semi-autobiographical... I want to learn more about Allendes life now!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: War

elliejane002's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War, and Classism

Moderate: Sexual content

mclaravlm's review against another edition

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Abortion