Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Gerald's Game by Stephen King

4 reviews

kelseyholler's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.5

Did I like it? No. Was it the most horrifying and brutal book I've ever read? Yes. Rating it highly because it was well written and terrified me, so all in all a good horror book. With that being said, I'll never read it again and you can bet I'll never ever recommend it to anyone.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Cannibalism

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Mental illness

nenaveenstra's review against another edition

dark reflective 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

3.75

I was impressed by how deeply and respectfully this book discussed sexual assault - this was way more than just a thriller surrounding a BDSM game gone wrong, it was a psychological event. I was deeply entertained and shook to the core with everything that happened. I'm not 100% sure how accurate the depictions of schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder as well as sexual assault were, but they felt respectful and I appreciate that.

I do think this book could've benefited from killing some darlings, if you know what I mean. Especially the last thirty-ish pages - which read as a sort of epilogue - could've been scrapped in my opinion, leaving the ending a bit more open. It was all tied up too neatly.

Anyway this was a fun time, and I'm glad to have read it. Nothing tops The Shining, though ;)

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Body shaming

Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Suicide, and Antisemitism

The book is based around an idea of BDSM that isn't entirely accurate and can be very harmful. This is not what BDSM looks like, everyone!! Because BDSM would imply mutual consent!!! Also there are two subtle references to Nazi Germany in this book which were kind of odd - they were supposed to be funny I think, but I thought they were a little bit tasteless.

jocecily's review

dark tense slow-paced

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

1.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

telenovela's review

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Blood

Moderate: Confinement and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Ableism, Animal death, and Fatphobia