Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

56 reviews

bindi12's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

While dealing with heavy, difficult topics, this is ultimately a story of resiliency and hope. Essie has a strong sense of self independent of the controlling, harmful environment in which she was raised. The ending is hopeful without being unrealistic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Pregnancy

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Abortion

frijolitopdf's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

a poignant and heartwrenching book about the darker side of families like the duggars. essie's family sacrificed at the altar of public image and religion, even at the cost of her safety and autonomy. it is only by her determination that she is able to carve out her own story.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest and Rape

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

morghanmae's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

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

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