Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr.

5 reviews

wheelofparm's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Medical trauma

carolineberry12's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Medical content, Racial slurs, Drug use, Drug abuse, Violence, Gore, Police brutality, Sexual content, Racism, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship

jennabst's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This book is an unassuming, yet harrowing depiction of the rapid descent into several forms of addiction, the lengths the mind will go to to justify addiction, and the dire consequences that can arouse from it. Selby’s writing style is a perfect fit for this type of story; and the plotlines felt natural despite being absolutely terrifying to imagine. I felt emotional this entire book, and I think this is a must read for anyone who can stomach the content. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Drug use, Addiction, Medical trauma, Drug abuse, and Sexual content

aignerloren's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Drug use, Medical trauma, Addiction, and Drug abuse

literarylion's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

This was EXTREMELY graphic, sometimes gratuitously so, but I still think it has a lot to say, especially when it was published in the late 70s. Selby's experimentation with minimal punctuation was effective and didn't impact the flow. Probably some of the most complex and evocative character development I've read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Cursing, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Drug use, Excrement, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Body horror, Confinement, Drug abuse, Death, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Violence