Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

55 reviews

kcakes719's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

5.0

Opening with that Demi Lovato quote was like a punch in the gut.

I think I might be severely desensitized because this book didn’t gross me out in the way others have described. It certainly has moments where I can see why someone would be disturbed though. This is a medieval slice of life with zero likable characters and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The audiobook narration by the author was *chefs kiss*

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Rape, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Slavery, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Abortion, Vomit, Incest, Alcohol, Bullying, Excrement, Mental illness, and Murder

Minor: Cursing, Classism, Grief, and Animal cruelty

eemily's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Animal death, Child death, Self harm, Gore, Emotional abuse, Rape, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Miscarriage, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Animal cruelty, Infertility, Fire/Fire injury, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Bullying, Abandonment, Ableism, Alcoholism, Abortion, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Body shaming, and Blood

miarae22's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

2.5

grotesque and jarring

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Cannibalism, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

This book is difficult to read at times. It is interesting to be sure but I would approach it with caution if graphic content makes you uncomfortable

evantmellon's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Misogyny, Classism, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Animal death, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Self harm, Sexism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Abortion, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Violence, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

hlb2023's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Excrement, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, Child abuse, and Violence

rebekahmm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I loved the WRITING in this book, but hated everything that happened. Every character is deeply flawed, yet written so well you know exactly why someone does or says something. Vivid, fleshed-out characters drive this story in a little medieval village. Everyone is either bad or awful, but they all have their reasons. The fantastic writing is the only reason I finished this book. Would not recommend.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Death, and Violence

gabburrit0's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

2.5

this book (like the other books I've read by Moshfegh) leave me with the same feelings of confusion and uncomfortability.

why was there so much child abuse mentioned throughout the story? on multiple, absolutely awful levels? was this book a criticism of the human condition at it's very worst? was Villiam a satirical presentation of those in power? what was Ina's whole deal? and why was Marek the central character that we kept going back to?

also what the hell even was Marek's purpose throughout the whole book besides being beaten and made fun of and then eventually a murderer?

not really my cup of tea but I can say that I gave Moshfegh another shot

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Murder, Child abuse, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, Death, Child death, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

captainyaht's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Cannibalism, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Body shaming, Child death, and Suicide

Minor: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Infidelity, and Murder

bellepierson's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Gore, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Animal death, Cannibalism, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Rape

Minor: Abortion

nith's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Rape, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Cannibalism, Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail