Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

68 reviews

avsharp's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

A raw, tragic and wrenching story about the ties between two women being torn by historic events and the cruelty of war, as well as the darker sides of men and tradition. I learned a lot about Jeju's 20th century history, the island's cultural practices and social customs, and was really engaged by the story of Young-sook and Mi-ja, though I was a little disappointed that the main barrier to resolution was the unrelenting stubbornness of the protagonist. 

The actions of some of the characters were understandable, even if not relatable, and the bitter resolution left me feeling quite reflective and sombre about the generations of civilians - and especially women - caught up and senselessly set against each other in conflict after conflict. A tale that looks back at the trauma echoing from past events, but no doubt carries much relevance today.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, War, Torture, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Violence

nvciel's review against another edition

emotional informative sad slow-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Torture, Police brutality, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape

mikeiswhere's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-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

4.5

This book was significantly more disturbing than I expected it would be after reading the blurb, but I am glad to have learned from it. A very powerful and emotional book which had me much more invested than I expected.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Torture, Child death, and Death

tonisecelecticlibrary's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture and War

Moderate: Death

Minor: Rape

epruta's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, Child death, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Murder, and Police brutality

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Domestic abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Pregnancy

Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Suicide

melbell016's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• 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

5.0

This is a sad and heartwrenching story. The atrocities are nausea-inducing. But it is also a beautiful story of friendship, strength despite immense loss, courage, and the difficulty and pain of finding forgiveness. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Murder, Grief, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Death of parent, War, Genocide, and Death

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Rape, Torture, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Cancer

pbuzzard's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Abortion, Bullying, Child death, and Abandonment

Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Gore, Suicide attempt, Cultural appropriation, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Trafficking, Mental illness, Murder, Hate crime, Infertility, Death of parent, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Violence, Body shaming, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, War, Medical trauma, Grief, Racism, Alcohol, Excrement, Physical abuse, Genocide, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Torture, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, and Gun violence

minireader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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

Whilst I've given many trigger warnings to this book, it is fascinating. The horrors that Jeju suffered is not entirely untouchable. It's still happening today in other countries. Its an important read and an incredibly heart wrenching story. I can't recommend it enough!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Genocide, Death, War, Torture, Suicide, Violence, Trafficking, Rape, Police brutality, Hate crime, Gun violence, and Death of parent

hannahfaith25's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, War, Grief, Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Torture

Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Rape, Colonisation, and Child abuse

intoshadows's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This is a powerful fiction take on true events and my goodness it was heartbreaking. It is steeped in culture and wonderful female roles and friendships and community. The island is torn over and over again and the wounds you can feel on the page but still, despite the horrors, you understand character motivations. 

I wish humans were capable of inflicting such terrors upon one another. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Death, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, and Genocide