Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

3 reviews

ispeakpurple's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Misogyny

Minor: Abortion and Murder

Essie's baby is

the result of years of rape at the hands of her older brother.

paperknotbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.75

The story and characters are engaging, but they felt lifeless and cliche. Some characters, such as the Pastor and Essie’s mom, had personas which never fully developed. I never understood their motives, or those of Liberty Bell. 

I like where the story ended up, but it was expected. There are too many gimmicky tropes plopped into the storyline, it is forced into with a predictable evolution. Too many “unseen” activities made my suspension of disbelief difficult.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Incest

Minor: Body shaming, Gun violence, Suicide, Gaslighting, and Classism

Cult activity is heavy theme in this book

otherworlds's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, and Excrement

Minor: Alcoholism