Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Särmikäs Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

181 reviews

hollyenglish's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I finished this book the day I started it, I couldn't put it down. Was sure it was going to be a five star rating from me until the last few pages, but the ending felt rushed. Apart from that, a really gripping psychological thriller. 

I'm fine with a bleak ending and Peter's arc does make sense to me. But it felt like all Sally's character development was thrown out in a couple of pages and it didn't feel convincing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Kidnapping

madbro13's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This book is very well written but dark is not a strong enough term. The premise is similar to that of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine: events in the life of an antisocial and somewhat odd adult woman lead her to uncover past trauma from her childhood that which she repressed, except that Sally Diamond's trauma is way more f***** up and part way through the book alternating chapters are from another character's perspective which dive even deeper into the perpetrated cycles of trauma. 
Heavy content warnings on SA, kidnapping and confinement, misogyny, and a good sprinkle of racism.

Honestly rough shit happens in this story but it is written incredibly well. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Pregnancy

corenemac's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

voilajean's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Car accident, Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Alcohol

quietabyss's review against another edition

3.0

dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This veered too close to trauma corn for me, not to mention the ending practically tripping over itself. This could've been a lot more meaningful if it had been a solid discussion about generational trauma, and about the struggles of dealing with personal trauma, but no. Just read The Room instead.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Kidnapping, Gaslighting

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Lesbophobia

angelacornelius's review against another edition

4.5

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia

Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping

maebemerissa's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional sad 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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Racism, Car accident, Death of parent

rve423's review against another edition

3.75

dark mysterious 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

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I read this book in a day; I neglected my family and ignored all adult responsibilities. I was deeply engrossed, and I was ready to give this the first 5 star review I've given in a long time, but hot damn. The ending just...did not do it for me. I was there through the whole book, and I loved it, but the end felt a little bit like The Dutch House. 300 pages later we're back at essentially the beginning. I mean, it's good. Read it. But read it ready for a let down at the end. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape

djthatch's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Pandemic/Epidemic

aaliyahjn's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This might be the darkest and saddest book I have ever read. I want to forget I ever read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

Moderate: Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Pregnancy

Minor: Homophobia, Rape, Abandonment