Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

187 reviews

zitalilla's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Dysphoria, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Alcohol, Eating disorder, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicide

krsnris's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Mental illness

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Outing, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Drug use

madiekvv's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Drug use, and Rape

grey_jayne's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.25

Freshwater is beautifully written and the audiobook is read by the author. This is the third Emezi book that I have switched over to audiobook because they create characters with strong Nigerian voices that I don't feel comfortable narrating in my head. Besides this book, Pet and Bitter were also great audiobooks, read by people other than the author. All three audiobooks increased my enjoyment and Emezi's wordcraft is magical.

The story is a little challenging in how the splintered voices speak and this is the best DID narrative I know. Also the sharing of trans moments was quite honest and lovely too. I would recommend checking the content warnings though because parts of this book are intense. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Rape, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Self harm, Pedophilia, and Dysphoria

samantha_2023's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Self harm, Mental illness, and Rape

lottesuardi's review

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Self harm

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Homophobia

unat's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt and Mental illness

Minor: Rape

emily_journals's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

This is a beautifully written partial memoir that I believe will have a strong impact on anyone who reads it. Make sure to check trigger warnings for this one before you pick it up as there is a lot of triggering content, but if you are willing/able to read those triggers this is definitely worth the read. 

I found this to be a very intriguing exploration of identity, gender, and sexuality through the lens of Igbo religion and culture. This book was heartbreaking and profound and is a book that I will be rereading in the future to fully appreciate and absorb everything portrayed in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Rape, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Outing, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Stalking, Transphobia, and Homophobia

unboxedjack's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicidal thoughts

kanadrallegria's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.75

A very unique approach to mental health and spiritualism. Dark yet hopeful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Rape, and Cursing

Moderate: Mental illness, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Eating disorder, Dysphoria, and Abandonment

Minor: Car accident, Drug use, Medical content, and Sexual harassment