Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Passing by Nella Larsen

17 reviews

wytnie's review against another edition

4.5

I liked the book i was mainly interested in it because I'm black and wanted to see how this subject would be addressed in the past. I think the writing was interesting given how old it is but not bad. Thinking about reading "quicksand" that's also by Nella Larsen. Lastly, idk if its just me but sometimes it kind of felt like Clare and Irene liked each other because at times it gave "ex-girlfriends who still love each other" instead of old kinda sorta friends.

I will say, personally i am so happy that who died in the end did, i feel like it was the only way for things to get better for literally any of the other characters, I also think its kind of what she wanted in her own way.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Racism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship

rieviolet's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.0

This novella packs a lot into a little more than one hundred pages. 

In the foreground there's race and the concept of passing, with all of its moral implications. I think the theme is explored really well, and through the different characters we can observe all of its nuances. 

The author is also good at delving deep into the main character's psychology. The relationship between Irene and Clare is fraught with conflicting emotions, and it is build upon in a very clever way until the shocking breaking point.

I really appreciated the themes and the prose, but I wasn't completely swept away by the story, hence the 4-star rating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Misogyny

Minor: Infidelity, Child abuse, Antisemitism, Murder, Suicide, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Fatphobia, and Classism

mothling's review against another edition

3.5

interesting! nice, clear prose and engaging all the way through + obviously very thought provoking and since it's short, it's quite quick paced and doesn't drag. i did feel like some events were murky and muddled by the pov which may have been intentional, but left me thrown off a bit ?? i'm also not sure i quite got the point of a certain plotline which is probably a me issue. it's a classic that would probably serve me well to delve into some analysis on, but we'll see.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Infidelity

storielore's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship

reading_ladies_blog's review

reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Racism, and Suicide

faith99's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Racism, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Infidelity

growintogardens's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Violence and Death

toffishay's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I am surprised that I waited so long to read this book; I really enjoyed it! This book explores themes of race, identity, and what we own others who we are in community with through the story of a Black woman "passing", moving through society as a white woman. Really though, the plot is about the relationship between Clare and Irene, what these two woman want out of their lives...and what they are willing to do to get it. If you like Sula by Toni Morrison (which I love) you'll like this book :) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Death, Sexism, Classism, and Infidelity

Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Antisemitism, Alcohol, Hate crime, War, and Bullying

jupitermond's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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: Racism, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Death and Toxic relationship

Minor: Infidelity

daniellekat's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship