Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Donne che parlano by Maurizia Balmelli, Miriam Toews

105 reviews

jlye's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This book will stay with me for a long time. Religion is used as a weapon against these women, but also serves as their source of comfort and guidance. I am an atheist, but very much appreciate seeing the world through the lens of these beautifully written characters. My only critique is  having watched the movie right after finishing the book, I prefer the shift to having Autje as the narrator.

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mworrell's review against another edition

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medium-paced
This is a book of women talking, put simply. I enjoyed this as an audiobook. The author’s steady and at times dry—and wry—voice was a good complement to the dialogue, which when read in one’s head can feel cramped, but when read out loud is well paced. This might be because I read too fast ha.

Like Pachinko, there’s a lot of empty space, which I appreciate. Occasionally you get vignettes or descriptions of the surroundings, but this book is mostly dialogue, punctuated by the gestures and quirks of the people, and the written asides from the narrator. I’d like to watch the movie when I get a chance.

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thewellbitch's review against another edition

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

5.0

Read it (listened to it) in one sitting. Very compelling story and characters. I give it 5 stars for keeping ratings simple because I really liked this book, but I would have preferred not to have a male narrator, though I can see what the purpose of it was.

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martasshelf's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75


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charlottesreadingweb's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

A crushing story of bravery, sisterhood, and solidarity in the face of horrors inflicted upon women by men they trusted. An important meditation on womanhood/girlhood, power, patriarchy, and the weaponization of religion for control. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time, and I look forward to watching the screen adaptation. Please check content warnings.

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forestunseen's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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cerys_ah's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-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

4.25


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gloriazthompson's review against another edition

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reflective sad

3.0


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kyrarm's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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anniesher23's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75


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