Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Moja temna Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

434 reviews

upthelibraryladder's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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A good and well written book. 

If you are interested in exploring themes of feminism, the #metoo movement, power imbalances and reflection give this book a read.

My main critique is that there was little discernable difference between the main character's child and adult voice; the two perspectives blended a bit too seamlessly that at times I couldn't remember whether I was reading the main character's past or her present. This gave the book a slight representativeness. However, I did like that this book have a more nuanced/alternate view of abuse and what it means to be a victim. Surprisingly, at times it was hard to feel sympathy for the main character which I wasn't expecting given the books subject matter. 

This a book that will make you think and question throughout. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, Suicide, Grief

rosienotjen's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I really struggled to read this book at first. Not because it isn’t an incredible book, but its subject matter and the vivid way that the author writes makes it emotional exhausting. Of course, this makes it all the more powerful as these intense emotions help the reader to understand Vanessa’s experience, even as you’re shouting at her to get away from the situation. None of the characters in this books are “good” people - all are deeply flawed in different ways and reflect the complexity of human nature. Even the “bad” characters have moments which make you feel they are capable of redemption (whether or not that’s true). This book is also about the ways in which the system fails survivors of abuse, and this was perhaps what made it most difficult to read. Overall, this was a deeply moving and powerful book, one to be read slowly and allowed to percolate as you read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief

alreads13's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book was so achingly beautiful and terrible and dark and complicated. It grabbed you by the head and wouldn’t let you turn away. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship

Moderate: Incest

Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief

whatevertheysay's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Suicide

Minor: Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent