Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

6 reviews

athenian_frog's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

PLEASE SEE CONTENT WARNINGS BELOW!

Well written but I think I have to read again bc it was pretty confusing and kinda frustrating this first time around. Just left me feeling a bit depressed lmao so please be warned. I really just wanted better for the main character, man 😭

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, and Incest

Minor: Sexual content and Toxic relationship

(Vaguely detailed) The main character is molested by an older relative as a child at night. The person is:

his older brother

It is established as a regular occurrence. (Vaguely described) there is sexual content but what is there is of purple prose-y or is in the perspective of the morning after. The relationship that the MC has with another significant character (combined with the MC’s flawed ideas of bodily autonomy) read as toxic to me. This can be potentially triggering.

quinzel_14's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Incest, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content

navayiota's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative 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? No

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Incest, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Toxic relationship

It was alright. I assume it was more original and edgy when it came out but now it's incredibly tame.

The sexual assault scenes were very vivid, though.

At times it felt plotless in a bad way, and I don't see the connection between the myth and the story. It wasnt brought together at the end, it felt more like a gimmick than anything else, a hook to get people interested in the characters cause they themselves had nothing to provide. And then with the volcano god and the sacrifices, it felt like a last minute attempt at making sense of the story. It got me interested in long exposure photography which I'm happy about, but that's about it.

abuck_2426's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content and Incest

Minor: Blood

savvylit's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-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

5.0

As Geryon's life progresses in the pages of this novel, it becomes clear just how masterful Carson is as a poet and storyteller. Page after page is bursting with truly gorgeous and inventive imagery. Geryon is a very endearing protagonist and I felt my heart breaking on his behalf multiple times during my reading.

Honestly, I'm finding it difficult to review this book because it is so unique. Let me leave you with a few quotes from Autobiography of Red that will hopefully demonstrate the indescribable brilliance of this book:

"He lay on his bed at night listening to the silver light of stars crashing against the window screen."

"It was the hour when snow goes blue and streetlights come on and a hare may pause on the tree line as still as a word in a book."

"And now time is rushing towards them where they stand side by side with arms touching, immortality on their faces, night at their back."

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Incest, and Toxic relationship

chuckielittle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Incest

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Bullying

Minor: Drug abuse