Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

22 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

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

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

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.

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

evaosterlee's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy

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

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Content Warnings

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

camdelo96's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy

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