Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

30 reviews

ayoderable's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The writing wasn't excellent and the characters weren't totally fleshed out, but there is enough charm and intrigue in the story to keep you reading. I liked the contrasts of different castes of Christian fundamentalism and all the ways it harms marginalized groups, even when it is well meaning. The book emphasized specifically that abusers do not seem like abusers all of the time- sometimes they appear normal, sometimes they are nice. It is especially harrowing how powerless children truly are to abuse by those in their circle- and this book shines a light on that

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Abortion, and Alcohol

bbri's review

challenging sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

3.75

Probably would’ve been better if told 100% through Essie’s POV

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Rape

Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Religious bigotry

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

---

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.

breannasbooks's review

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

ventellina's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Religious bigotry

caitlynleahy's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abortion, and Pregnancy

maddiie046's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Incest, and Rape

katieritoch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Homophobia, Suicide, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Incest and Rape

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.

---

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

lozlox's review against another edition

inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

I enjoyed reading this book, Essie is a great main character. Roarke was likeable, as was his dynamic with Essie, but early-Roarke seemed to disappear as the book progressed. 
I gave it just short of 4 stars because it lacked the depth I’d expected. I feel this is, in part, a result of the pacing speeding up big time just past the halfway point. Some might prefer it like that, but I found it strange for there to be such a light touch on such heavy topics. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Religious bigotry

Minor: Gun violence and Homophobia