Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

53 reviews

ems_rxlibrary'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Infertility

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Sexual content, Rape, and Suicide

thissagreads's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

2.75

There were times that book moved slower than I’d like, and I felt that the characters held back in moments they could’ve spoken up about, but that’s the 50’s & 60’s unfortunately. Because the book is historical fiction, there was some insight and knowledge gained about the old catholic boarding houses for pregnant girls (including the coercive tactics). I think I wanted more happy for both characters, and at the I got that nice “happy ending” plot twist, but it wasn’t enough. 

Ruby becomes the doctor she dreamed of, while Eleanor raises her baby unbeknownst to the both of them.

 
All in all, I thought the story was a fresh perspective with the 2 character perspectives.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Racism, and Child abuse

Minor: Racial slurs and Abandonment

Ruby got pregnant by a white Jewish boy who’s mom offered her a scholarship for college if Ruby cuts off communication with her son, AND must stay at a boarding house while pregnant, and then give her baby up for adoption. Mom keeps end of bargain so Ruby unknowingly gives her daughter up to Eleanor and her husband the elite William who’s well know in the black community in DC. Eleanor has already lost 3 babies -before the baby can be brought to term- and her mother-in-law suggests adoption from the boarding house to William unbeknownst to Eleanor- and William suggests it to Eleanor who says yes even though she’s riddles with guilt and shame for not being able to carry full term.

squintingqueen's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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

4.75

This book definitely pulled at the heart strings and kept me in my feelings. The author did a great job of pulling me in and giving me a clear understanding of the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

It not only showed the struggles of race/colorism, it shows how opportunities and treatment differ based on class/wealth which isn't unusualunfortunately.

I appreciated the journey I was taken on while reading for sure.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Racism, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Infertility, Child abuse, and Classism

thekrujue's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Grief, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Racism

aritson90's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, and Rape

mdavis26's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Suicide attempt, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Alcohol, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault

sugarcainn's review against another edition

emotional sad tense 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Racism, and Violence

rosiewants2read's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

Moderate: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, and Racism

sarahmcg's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
My rating: 5⭐️

What to expect: 
Dual POV, 2 young black women
Themes of love, family, and motherhood
1950s Philadelphia and Washington DC

My review: 
After reading Johnson’s book Yellow Wife, I added the House of Eve to my TBR knowing I would love it. The juxtaposition of Ruby and Eleanor’s stories was so thought-provoking with seeing similarities in their stories, but also how race, class, colorism, and societal expectations affected them in different ways. This novel was at times harrowing and heartbreaking, and at other times joyful and hopeful. I enjoyed seeing Eleanor’s passion for archival work, and Ruby’s dreams of becoming an optometrist; I love reading about brilliant women, and the difficult choices they have to make. 
Something I love about Johnson is that she based characters in her book on real people. It makes them so vibrant and it is so easy to empathize with and cheer for them. She addresses difficult topic realistically, but with compassion.
I listened to this on audiobook, and really loved the narration by Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis. Plus, the author read an author’s note at the end which is worth a listen.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Miscarriage, Classism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Infertility

Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse

Minor: Misogyny

theredheadprotagonist's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Miscarriage

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Rape