Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

11/22/63 by Stephen King

41 reviews

ks_words's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Insightful on life in the 1950’s-60’s, fascinating story following everything from time travel, politics and love. However, keeping in mind the main reason Jake goes back to save Kennedy is because of all Kennedy could have done for the civil rights movement, I feel those points weren’t hit up enough. There still felt like a glorification of a still heavily segregated world, and focused more on Jake’s daily journey through time instead of focusing on the severity of the task at hand. By the end of the book I am left wondering if Kennedy not being assassinated would have helped our country or not, as there are more political players who make decisions beyond the President that could have easily plunged our world into the darker timeline Jake witnessed after saving Jack (granted the argument is there that all of the bad things happened because Jake had change too much)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder

brittbone's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious 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

Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence

Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Alcohol

cheikel's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder

kfrancesca32's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder

Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Toxic relationship

nikimorr's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Antisemitism

shmamshilling's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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I thoroughly enjoyed this read and felt it was a perfect balance of suspense, soft/mild horror, historical fiction and romance. I really quickly fell into a comfort with the characters and found them relatable, as well as enjoying the plot unfolding alongside the person-driven stories. The ending ripped me up and had me wishing for many versions with alternate realities. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

satin_violets's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous tense

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Size of the book is daunting but the story itself is captivating. This book had me transformed into a blubbering mess by the last page. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, War

erindoublee's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious 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: Complicated

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This is my first Stephen King novel to read and boy, am I sorry I waited so long to read this one. I wanted to live in Jake's world forever, to know his next steps, to know what decisions he would continue to make. This novel was so well-written.

Because haven't we all wondered what would have happened if JFK lived? This book explores this thought through time travel. Jake Epping takes a step through the rabbit hole to 1958 in early Fall, and thus begins the story of his attempt to stop the assassination of the president. The story weaves through 1958-63 and is a rich telling of friendships, bad bets, love, loss, and Jake's attempt to stop this murder. 

Highly recommend, 5.0 star!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder

The entire plot comes down to the butterfly effect, and how actions can change the entire world. One area where I did not feel very compelled was Sadie and Jake's relationship. It wasn't fully developed for me. Perhaps it was the audio narration, but I really actually couldn't stand Sadie, didn't get upset when she died, it was definitely the sacrifice that had to be made. Jake going back to Jody at the end wasn't necessary for me, it was just a little too tied in a bow, but alas, I still loved the story.

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

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