Reviews tagging 'Incest'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

49 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

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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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Rape

Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Religious bigotry

kimveach's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a young woman who uses an unexpected pregnancy and marriage to leave her reality-show family.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism

ryleej13's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Incest, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicide

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.

mlemmers's review against another edition

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Incest and Rape

tessatea333's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest

crin_d1nk's review

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.25

I really enjoyed how the writer used three different point of views to discuss how fanatical religious ideas can harm adolescents and the struggle they face to get free. I really loved the relationship between Essie and Rourke even though all the events took place fairly quickly I was able to beleive that these two cared for one another. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Incest and Rape

breannasbooks's review

3.0

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Content Warnings

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

sophiaemily's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? No

3.0

I am really bummed about this one. I picked it up because the concept sounded really interesting, and I do think that is the best part of this book. The premise is really interesting, and it's not far-fetched, we have seen families like this on reality TV for years (like the Duggars), and it even made me think of the more modern world of influencers who exploit their children online for money and fame. The execution was unfortunately not there for me. There are so many serious, dark, intense themes (and triggers - I recommend checking CW before reading) in this book, and they weren't handled with the level of detail and care that I would have liked to see. This is a rare case of a book that I think would have benefitted from actually being longer. I needed more behind these characters' motivations and more discussions around all of the abuse that Essie endures! The plot moved too quickly and so many things happened that seemed too convenient and too simplistic to match the gravity of the situation that the characters were dealing with. The ending felt rushed and wrapped everything up in a bow that was way too nice. I'm disappointed because the concept could have made this book great, it kept me interested enough to want to finish the book, but I wanted and needed so much more from this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Minor: Abortion