Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Le Bal des folles by Victoria Mas

9 reviews

c_phillips's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

3.75

Ending was a bit underwhelming compared to the build up in the plot 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Self harm, Child abuse, Child death, Abandonment, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Mental illness

r_taylor96's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

What an incredible read. A real page turner, could hardly put it down. Descriptive, emotive, intreaguing. And a great length. Highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Murder, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

arlaines's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Mental illness

merle98's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Grief, Incest, Self harm, Sexual violence, Medical content, Mental illness, Confinement, and Misogyny

kylajaynebooks's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

This was such a ME book I adored it. A gothic woman’s asylum in Paris 1800s - and that’s all I’m going to say. This would be an INCREDIBLE autumn read 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Body horror, Confinement, Self harm, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Suicide attempt

tinybluepixel's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, Ableism, Body horror, Medical trauma, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Self harm, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, and Suicide attempt

mattiedancer's review against another edition

informative tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Writing: 3.25⭐️/5 

The writing, while insightful in many sections, focuses mostly on telling rather than showing. For many passages, the passage directly stated Mas’ thesis, pushing forward a firm theme rather than allowing the reader to come to conclusions on their own. This did make the book extremely accessible and a much quicker read.

Characters: 3⭐️/5

The characters felt real enough, and yet also rather flat in comparison to the content matter. Where I hoped to find depth, I was met with surface-level characters who occasionally displayed features that dipped below the surface. That being said, the characters were relatively intriguing and, since the story was short, they kept interest for the course of the novel. 

Plot: 3⭐️/5 

The concept of the plot is incredibly interesting but the execution fell a bit flat. While still enjoyable and interesting, both the main plot and the side plots left me wanting more.

Who Should Read This Book? 

• Those looking for an introduction to historical fiction
• Those wanting to learn more about Salpêtrière

Content Warnings? 

• Misogyny, sexism, classism, death of a parent, death, illness, toxic relationships, toxic friendships, 

Post-Reading Rating:  2.75⭐️/5

Left me wanting more.

Final Rating: 3.0⭐️/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Sexual content, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Drug use, Rape, Violence, and Vomit

whatvictoriaread's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Self harm

zoe_werdy's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a fascinating read, based on the real history of a French asylum and the annual ball held within its walls for the wealthy of Paris to mingle with the mad women. It was really a story about the ways society controls women, in the home, in their work or if they differ from the norm, or are the victim of traumatic violence, in an asylum. Once there doctors can do as they please in the name of medicine. It's a history I want to read so much more about, it feels like it has so much to say about the past and so many implications for today. This short book was dipping my toe into spellbinding writing laying out this disturbing chapter of Parisian history. I loved it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts