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Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'
Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
32 reviews
lyricallit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Excrement, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Trafficking, Racism, Cancer, and Homophobia
Minor: Rape and Sexual violence
bel017's review against another edition
Graphic: Confinement, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny
Moderate: Cancer, Classism, Rape, and Torture
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
This is a feminist tirade against the abuse of women in the 18th and 19th Centuries, and nothing about it is gentle. I am not one to cry at books but I had tears in my eyes reading about the conditions at the private insane asylum - women chained half-naked in feces up to their ankles is just one example of the many cruelties and injustices.
The author has done copious research on the Regency period of England (1811-1820), and it tells in the detail she brings to the story. This would be a good companion to Jane Austen’s books and the somewhat later ones of the Bronte’s. They focused on polite society whereas this book shows a part of England they may not have known existed.
Unfortunately for me, this book was only just published so I’ll have to wait all too long for the sequel. I know it will be well worth the wait, but still….
Graphic: Gore, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Excrement, Cancer, Deportation, Sexism, Sexual assault, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Trafficking, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gun violence, and Incest
turrean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
However, the lighthearted Austenesque situation at the beginning of the book is quickly overshadowed by some horrific set pieces (the brothel, the hospital, the madhouse.) The descriptions of human trafficking, rape, brutal and inhuman incarceration, and the tortures of surgery with no anesthesia were doubtless historically accurate but no less painful to read. The copy of the book I read had an excerpt of a review right above the title: “Smart and sassy!!” which was an odd choice for a book that tells unflinchingly of the treatment of women in that era.
Graphic: Trafficking, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Cancer, Child abuse, Excrement, and Forced institutionalization
The book is tagged as “lighthearted” by many readers. No. It’s not.alyssajp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Graphic: Excrement, Medical content, Physical abuse, Suicide, Vomit, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Blood, Cancer, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Rape
jchinzi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Cancer, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Sexism, and Misogyny
katrinaward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Trafficking, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Suicide, Sexual assault, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
alhalpern's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Incest, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gore, Kidnapping, Suicide, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
katievallin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Confinement, Slavery, Suicide, Medical trauma, Violence, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Blood, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Sexism, Vomit, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Grief, Pedophilia, Rape, and Terminal illness
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, Racism, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, and Incest
helalost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, and Excrement
Moderate: Racism and Violence