Reviews tagging 'Ableism'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

17 reviews

drraytay's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is certainly a product of its time. There were a lot of instances of body shaming and slut shaming and even an instance of the well known ableist slur everyone was using in the 90s and 2000s. None of these instances added to the story in any meaningful way. This story is still an important one though for teens and adults alike. Any form of sexual assault feels incredibly alienating and silencing and Laurie Halse Anderson did a phenomenal job at showing that. 

Trigger warnings for rape, toxic friendships, toxic parents, bullying, slut shaming, body shaming, fatphobia, with brief ableism and minor self harm. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Bullying, and Ableism

te_ss_i'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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Cursing, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Grief

bluelightbeam's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Self harm

chelseeaa's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Suicide, Self harm, Alcohol, and Ableism

maurice_greenware's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense

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

2.5

I would be a pretty good book if the main character wasn't so misogynistic throughout the book! I can see how this book would have helped people who've been sexually assaulted, and I applaud the author for creating a book that has helped people with their trauma. I feel like if I had read this book a couple years ago, when I was just getting out of an abusive relationship, it would've really helped me understand what I had been through. so props to the author for sure, I just personally didn't like the writing a lot .

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

Moderate: Bullying and Body shaming

Minor: Ableism

mementomori04's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

Minor: Ableism, Blood, and Toxic friendship

riozul's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Bullying

Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Animal death, Gaslighting, Ableism, and Xenophobia

bluebellpickles's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Bullying, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, and Violence

reallyitsrudi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

literally one of the most memorable books from my childhood and it still holds up today, I loved this

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Rape

Minor: Ableism

ashley_spicer'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Minor: Ableism