Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo  Brown

17 reviews

valeriabee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I love the style of writing for this novel. The choice to use magic/wizardry in this universe was a perfect one. This story is full of difficult and traumatic topics, and the magical realism made it easier to process those moments. It reverses the use of literary devices such as metaphors and symbolism by turning them literal through the magic/wizardry. 
The book walks the line between memoir and novelization, reminding me a bit of Capote's In Cold Blood. It was stylistically reminiscent of Toni Morrison's Beloved, in particular the tone and the use of magical realism.
I loved the way the narration of this novel played with time. There were many instances in which Echo is recounting the details of various moments at the same time, as if they are happening at the same time. The style and format reminded me of cuts in movie scenes where it jumps from one scene to another by panning similar environments or movements. Or when two different conversations are being had in a movie and the scene jumps between them smoothly by connecting their words so it is as if the dialogues complete each other whilst being completely independent of one another. The fact that Brown created that visual effect in literature is astounding and incredibly powerful. 
I love this book for its style and for its content. I love that it is set up in lessons and each chapter could be a stand-alone, it could be a short story but they work together to tell Echo's story. I love that the book is not shy, the characters are not shy. It is all very real and very forward and written so beautifully. 
I found myself thinking about the ways that this book could be taught in the classroom, especially because of the way it is chaptered off and written into lessons, one wouldnt have to use the whole book (because you know how some schools are mad sensitive about the content they share with their students despite their willingness to require books about white supremacy, imperialism, and the enslavement of black people). 
One of the most appealing things about this book is that it dares to show the bad with the good, show that greatness can be achieved. It provides hope whilst remaining honest about the pain. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Islamophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Bullying, and Confinement

Minor: Genocide, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Hate crime, Ableism, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Slavery

readandfindout's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Style/writing: 5 stars
Themes: 5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Plot: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Racism, Drug abuse, Addiction, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Moderate: Pedophilia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death, and Domestic abuse

whatsjessreading's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Mental illness

itsmeyseniab's review against another edition

emotional 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

5.0

Do you know that feeling when you pick up a book and you just KNOW that it's going to leave a tremendous impact on you even before you finish it? That's how I felt while I was reading this!

IF YOU'RE READING THIS, PLEASE STOP AND PICK UP THIS INCREDIBLE BOOK, NO REVIEW WILL DO IT JUSTICE.

I rarely cry while reading books, but this brought me to tears on several occasions. This novel tackled some incredibly difficult topics, and what's even more difficult and heartbreaking is knowing that this is autobiographical. The way that Echo Brown told her story was so raw, beautiful and impactful. I loved the way that she incorporated magical realism into this novel and how each chapter ended with a lesson (it felt like a hybrid of both the personal development and memoir genres). The symbolism that she used was superb - the "black veil" representing depression and the description of "wizards" were the two that stood out to me the most. I adored how many of the females within the novel were described as wizards - I felt as though that gave them power in situations that were meant to make them feel powerless at the hands of others. It truly was incredible and brought tears to my eyes.

Echo did a great job with describing all of the characters and developing their interpersonal relationships. The way that she described her relationship with her mother in particular was the most impactful in my opinion. Her mother was so flawed, but the love they both share for each other (even when they don't see eye-to-eye) made me so emotional. We really got to know Echo through her relationship with her brothers as well - hearing how she had to step into a motherly role at such a young age really helped to embody her spirit and allowed readers to understand her thought process and decision making throughout the rest of childhood and teenage years. Her relationship with her teacher was a great example of how families and communities can come together to help each other overcome adversity as well.

Although this was extremely difficult to read due to the subject matter, I think it is an extremely important novel and can impact readers of all ages. I believe that everyone gain something from this story! I highly recommend the audiobook as well - it is narrated by Echo Brown herself and adds even more emotion and depth. I truly can't recommend this novel enough. I am looking forward to seeing more from Echo in the future!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Violence

locdbooktician's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative sad tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Wow! This book was so challenging and covered so much. The lessons that were in each chapter were vital to survival and generational trauma. Learning about the plight of the black woman and it being overshadow by black men enraged me while reading this book. The sexual violence was difficult to listen to in this books listening to the author’s end remote at the end of the book broken and had me crying big girl tears. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence

rachelsbusyreading's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I loved this book. I am so sad that it was so recently written because i would LOVE a sequel that chronicles her in college!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Mental illness

Minor: Death

tanzreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

FUCK. This book was everything. Echo Brown skillfully reached inside of me and performed a miracle with every single lesson of wizard training. And taught me so, so much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Mental illness, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Bullying, and Alcoholism