Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

Ghost Lover: Stories by Lisa Taddeo

7 reviews

crimsonreadlips's review

challenging dark sad medium-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Incest, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Death of parent, Cursing, and Classism

Minor: Cancer and Death

eleeowart's review

dark funny reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

Lisa Taddeo’s writing is so unique, succinct and impactful. I reread sentences multiple times just to keep chewing on them because I like the taste. She’s relentless. 

Women are always the focus of her writing, and through various women’s experiences, she uncovers the darkest pieces of living in society as a woman—the fatphobia, blatant misogyny and stereotypes can be a lot to get through. But isn’t that the reality? It’s through these unlikablw characters thoughts that’s we get to unpack the filth and darkest sides of humanity. Definite trigger warnings though. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, and Sexual content

Moderate: Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexism, and Alcohol

davyeyhavock's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny sad fast-paced

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

3.5

I have never read anything by this author and put this one at the top of my TBR pile as soon as I came across it. I listened to these short stories on audio - which is read by a full cast and fantastic. Each story has a different lead that is just as unlikeable as the one before it. The synopsis describes perfectly how each give their own take on obsession, blindness of love, and grief.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the writing - the ability to capture a great amount of detail and portray numerous feelings through each experience is great skill. 

These stories are chaotic and depressing - which I'm gathering is to be expected by this author. My favorites were: Maid Marian and Suburban Weekend. While I couldn't relate to the actions of these characters, you could feel the desperation through the pages and it forced you to go through the ugliness with them. 

I will definitely be moving on to read other books by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Body shaming, Drug use, Addiction, Eating disorder, Grief, and Death of parent

travelseatsreads's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

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

2.0

I absolutely head over heels loved Animal so I jumped at the chance to read Ghost Lover. Unfortunately, while I still adored Lisa Taddeo's prose and writing style I just couldn't connect with any of these short stories and it just didn't do anything for me. Without a doubt she is an outstanding artist who has the innate ability of weaving some gritty and raw narratives, I just wish for Ghost Lover she moved away from the rich privileged white female.

9 individual stories told in Taddeo's sharp, unrelenting and gritty style, evocative but just not gripping.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Grief, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

escharlton's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Body shaming

julietealy's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Every time I read Lisa Taddeo I feel like she is writing to me. Ghost Lover is an engrossing collection of short stories that beautifully capture the female experience. I love the way that Taddeo writes about lust, rage, ageing, jealousy, friendship, and love. Her characters are raw and complex and flawed, and that's what I love so much about her work. I really savored reading this book because each story felt so special to me. My favorite stories in this collection are Ghost Lover, Fourty-Two, Air Supply, and A Suburban Weekend. This is my new favorite collection of short stories. Each one scratched my brain in a different way, and I really appreciate how cohesive this collection is. Thank you SO much to Caroline and Avid Reader Press for sending me this ARC 💘 I am so grateful. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Medical content, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Infidelity, Body shaming, and Suicidal thoughts

arielc17's review

emotional fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Body shaming, and Misogyny