Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Blood Feast: The Complete Short Stories of Malika Moustadraf by Malika Moustadraf

4 reviews

abbie_'s review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

3.25

I buddy read this one with Nadia and we both agreed that it would have been a far better experience had the excellent translator's note been placed at the beginning of the collection! As it was, we both felt underwhelmed at a lot of the stories, or left feeling 'What was the point of that?' 

But when you understand more of the context of these stories, and how radical Moustadraf was (so radical that she was denied treatment for her illness which meant she died far too young), they take on a new light. This collection contains the first instance of cybersex in Arabic lit, as well as the first (I think) intersex/genderqueer character in Moroccan lit. 

The main message of the collection could be summed up as 'men are trash'. The women in these stories lack agency, are stuck in loveless and often abusive marriages or suffer at the hands of abusive or neglectful fathers, entitled men whinge and moan about their situation in life then take it out on the women around them. A few of the stories focus on self-perpetuating cycles of violence and poverty which trap so many women and nonbinary folks in less-than-ideal situations. 

Moustadraf does such a good job of writing unlikeable characters - possibly too much of a good job? In that, I felt tired and drained after reading almost every story, because there's so few repercussions. But sadly that is how it is in real life too, more often than not. 

Overall, a collection I appreciated lot more upon reflection than while reading!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

this was such a bleak but good book. i enjoyed quite a few of the stories. it was a very hard read though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Abortion, Addiction, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Violence

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

a good collection of short stories that never fails to make one once again enraged at sexism and misogyny under the patriarchy. some of the stories in blood feast are better than others, w/ "just different" and "briwat" being some of my favorites.

i also like the intersectionality that moustradaf shows here, where the female characters who suffer under the patriarchy nevertheless engage in homophobia or some other form of discrimination. theyre thus illustrated as full, imperfect and multidimensional humans instead of merely empty vessels in which to reiterate the book's msg and themes.

moustradaf unflinchingly tells the stories and that inevitably involves some triggering content. moreover, some of the stories can be forgettable, either from their very short length or an unclear direction. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Homophobia

Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Blood

Minor: Pedophilia

mondovertigo's review against another edition

dark sad fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Violence

Minor: Animal cruelty and Eating disorder