Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

11/22/63 by Stephen King

12 reviews

tmking02's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional 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: No

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail

hannahjaynej's review against another edition

1.25

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The first and likely the last Stephen King book I will ever read. I only finished it because it’s this month’s book club book. I am not sure if Stephen King has ever met a woman, and if he has, if he’s ever talked to one at length. You could argue that it is just the character, but I think we are supposed to like the main character, so I think it may be indicative of King’s beliefs. Either way, the time travel aspect was interesting but the second the one-dimensional love interest, Sadie, was introduced I was annoyed from there on out. The way he described women, usually on looks alone, was problematic and infuriating. And of course this straight white man enjoyed the late 50s and early 60s. Who cares about racism and sexism if they don’t affect you? Or better yet, work in your favor!! The main character has a savior complex, a virgin fantasy, and desperately wants to be told he’s right. 

Some notes I took while reading:
• Excuse me, the 16-year-olds dancing was “sexy?!” Creep.
• Sex as the cure for a headache from almost OD-ing?! You wish, Stephen. 
• Yes, I’m sure her most pressing concern after being traumatically attacked by her abusive ex-husband is how she looks in front of her current boyfriend.
• SADIE “THE VIRGIN” AS HER IDENTIFIER?? SERIOUSLY.
• Yes, because she needs a man to make her obviously very accomplished life worthwhile. 
• And I hated the frequent use of phrases like “smoothly naked” and “her formidable bosom.” 

In conclusion, I would hate to be written by Stephen King and I wish I could unread this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

skitson's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I really feel, the more I read of King’s, the more I believe he doesn’t need all of his books to be 700+ pages long. I think this book could have been 500+ instead, and his writing style is definitely not my favorite. King’s use of language and racism/sexism to tell his story is not favorable, despite him using it as just a commentary on that type of way of “thinking” (this is not necessary in my opinion, you can tell a story and comment on racism or sexism without also using that within your book).

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Sexual harassment

lylelm's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious 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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

kiwichill's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense slow-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

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One of Stephen King's best books.  Well researched and thorough.  Exciting storyline 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail

eadrianschmitz's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark informative mysterious reflective tense slow-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: Complicated

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Wow. What an interesting concept, approach, and execution. Some elements I could have done without but that's personal preference. A great experience to read this. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic

thebooksmegreads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous 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: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, War

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Stalking, Suicide attempt

moona_gaia's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

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This was my first Stephen King book and the writing style did not disappoint, but damn… I picked a big one. The book was very long and the pace was very slow at points, which made it feel even longer. This was not always the case and then i was at the edge of my seat unable to stop reading. The book was very atmospheric and because it was on the longer side,  I really felt the vibe of that time period.

The ending was very bittersweet. I wanted to toss the book across the room, but also couldn’t stop reading. I love that they reunited again in the end 😭

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence

Moderate: Self harm, Terminal illness

quipo's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Best book i've read up to this point. At one point I read 100 pages without even thinking. Very long book, so it's a commitment. But very worthwhile.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gore, Gun violence

Minor: Drug use

nenah_elizabeth's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder

Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Terminal illness, Grief, Pregnancy, War