Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Edinburgh by Alexander Chee

14 reviews

merandacree's review

dark sad medium-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Grief, Pedophilia, Body horror, Gun violence, Blood, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Child abuse, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

julalbert56's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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? Yes

4.5

This novel has some of the most vivid, beautiful, unique writing I’ve ever experienced. Some scenes felt unnecessary to the story,

and the mid-novel POV change was hard to get used to

, though I understand its function. Overall an emotional, uncomfortable, moving read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Self harm, Child abuse, Rape, Suicide, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Addiction and Racism

sedwards's review

dark emotional sad slow-paced

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, and Child abuse

sakisreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

4.0

My friend recommended this to me, and although I was aware of the content warnings (which I’ll put below), I was unaware of the extent that this would affect me 🥲

It is clear that the aftermath of abuse is horrific and hard to read about. I would not recommend this to anyone going on their own healing journey with abuse.

However, this book was written so beautifully. Even as Aphias (Fee) struggled through his life and the trials and tribulations of it, you could tell he had a certain vibrancy that kept him going.

I also loved when Albright (Bridey) came into his life because that felt like it was somehow restoring some of the right into Fee’s world 🥹

I really grappled with this book, because with similar tones to My Dark Vanessa, it’s inconclusive ending felt as though it was cheating Fee out of something.

Warden burning down Big Eric’s house was incredible, but is it bad that I kept wanting more bad things to happen to him? 🫠 Maybe it wasn’t a necessary narrative in Fee’s perspective!

I’m giving this book 4 out of 5 stars ✨ Thank you!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Pedophilia, and Self harm

kmartro's review

dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, and Drug abuse

Minor: Child death, Death, and Self harm

buttermellow's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Pregnancy and Racial slurs

tlaynejones's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This book is beautifully written. However the subject matter is harrowing and I would recommend everyone check the CW before reading. 
I almost gave this 5 stars, but it felt a little overly complicated at the end, so 4.5. Otherwise, the thoughtful way that Chee brings Fee to life, with all of his trauma, complications and vulnerability is superb. Highly recommended. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Self harm and Murder

Minor: Child death

smartcookiesca's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, and Self harm

leah_alexandra's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

I don't have much more to say about this book other than, "wow." I thought the ending was a little bit of a weak spot, but overall, astoundingly sad and beautifully written.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Terminal illness

drizzlybear's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, Terminal illness, and Racism