Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

98 reviews

jessiecat's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse

quechl's review against another edition

3.75

A good book that wasnt to my taste.

this is a pretty well-written book. it develops a well-written story about a teenage girl struggling with family, religion, body dysphoria, and more. it was objectively good. it just wasnt for me, something i knew going into it (modern/contemporary books dont tend to be my cup of tea, but i was trying to branch out a bit), and i will admit, the final chapters really hooked me in, but it otherwise wasnt to my taste. the characters are well written, but frankly, i dont find very many of them likable. X is fine, and that's the only perspective you see, but the other characters (her mother in particular) are... something. well written, but REALLY not all that likable.

Her mother genuinely made me so angry; and while that's definitely a sign of good storytelling, i don't think i was meant to be as genuinely upset at her as i was. i did not expect her to be as downright emotionally abusive as she was, intentionally or not. abuse is abuse, and the ending really upset me, especially how easy to forgive X was.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Body shaming and Dysphoria

Minor: Sexual content

lexa's review against another edition

4.5

I will listen to any Elizabeth Acevedo audiobook. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Homophobia

ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Homophobia, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment

czty27's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? No

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse

eisi28's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry

beldaran1224's review against another edition

emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

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

4.75

I highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator (also the author) does an exceptional job at giving voice to Xiomara. It a coming-of-age story that will move you over and over, and for adults, will remind us of what it means to be a teen just figuring things out. It isn't an easy story - Xiomara goes through a lot.

The only reason this isn't 5 stars is the ending is

a bit too neatly wrapped up, with abusers doing about-faces and all wounds healing.

Content warnings:

vivid portrayals of parental abuse; frequent portrayals of sexual harassment of minors (catcalls, groping, etc.); religious trauma with Catholicism as the religion depicted; heavy depictions of misogyny, particularly related to sex, bodies and menstruation.

All of these are interrogated & narratively condemned.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Outing

a_alves00's review

challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Infidelity

modernmatilda's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

If you're going to read this book, PLEASE do yourself a favor and listen to the author read via audiobook while reading a physical copy. Her performance and delivery should be heard and her word choices should be treasured. 

I felt seen and I saw others because of this book. Would DEFINITELY recommend to everyone, especially high schoolers. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Drug use

vampire_burrito's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment