Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Un mal nombre by Elena Ferrante

29 reviews

ktkeps's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death

jmullins21's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Suicide, Infertility, Adult/minor relationship, and Domestic abuse

calireisreading's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

A longer and more challenging read compared to the first volume, I found this second installment interesting and engaging, despite it dealing with heavier themes (again, please check the content warnings); some chapters and scenes were difficult to read,

especially those of domestic abuse between Lila and Stefano, starting from their first wedding night

. The friendship-rivalry between Lila and Elena is further developed and grows with them, taking on more mature characteristics while still retaining some childlike traits.
The writing style is impeccable as it was in the first book and flows just as well, each sentence is meaningful and balanced.
Overall, a solid read, unpleasant at times because of the challenging themes, but meaningful and impactful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Misogyny

Minor: Suicide and Miscarriage

culown's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

È davvero difficile dare un giudizio coerente a questo romanzo. 
Come nel primo dell'amica geniale la scrittura è fenomenale e coinvolgente, però non posso dire di aver apprezzato il libro. Devastante e deprimente non vedevo l'ora di finirlo ://
Controllare assolutamente i content warnings. 

Lo stupro iniziale imposta il tono di tutto il libro, veramente triste

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Mental illness, Infidelity, Infertility, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, and Child abuse

doeris's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexism, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Abortion and Blood

Minor: Death

karenaerts's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Violence, Suicide, Sexual content, and Miscarriage

clarahesler's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content and Violence

Minor: Toxic friendship

boy_topics's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

This book became tedious to me after a while. I was tired of the same storyline repeating itself over and over again. Lila and Elena are stuck in a cycle that repeats and again and again. I got bored and sad. The ending is a HUGE cliffhanger and truthfully I can't believe that this story continues for another two books. At the same time, I do love Ferrante's writing and I'm quite attached to the characters at this point. I need to know what happens but I'll be taking a break before moving onto the third book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Infidelity, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence

nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

This follow-up to My Brilliant Friend picks up right where we left off with Elena/Lenu and Lina/Lila. Now married to Stefano, Lila has become Signora Caracci, the ferocity of her childhood subsumed by domesticity. The tension in the marriage becomes immediately obvious, intensifying the relationships of the entire neighborhood. Brothers- and sisters-in-law, lovers, fiancés and mothers, employees and bosses and children: the interactions between characters are myriad, and to see the dynamics from Elena's myopic, obsessive perspective is both chilling and enthralling.

As Lina explores her new identity as wife, she struggles with her relationships to Stefano's family and his stores. Back and forth between the Caracci grocery store and the Cerullo shoe factory, Lina is uncomfortable with her new status, and yet she walks with head held high. Indeed, the only vulnerability we are privy to is her seeming avoidance of Elena, whose desperation not to see her is nearly as powerful as her desperation to be part of every moment of her life. Eventually, of course, Lina begins to thrive, as in all things (at least, by Elena's reporting): she charms customers while cheating them into paying more, supports her husband's family while skimming off the profits to donate to her neighbors, and flirts just enough with everyone to keep them from becoming too distant or too angry. 

As it happens, I found this first half of the book to be somewhat dry. I am struck by the fact that even in my summary, I only described Lina's life, letting Elena fade into the background just as she nearly erases herself, and therein lies the terrible beauty of these novels. This friendship is toxic, which only becomes more evident as the book continues, the subtlety of Elena's erasure transforming into Lina's complete overpowering of her friend, just as she has found some strength, confidence and independence. 

Elena, still thriving at school, is invited to graduate to university and spends the summer working at a bookstore, until she is cajoled by Lina to join her on a doctor's orders beach vacation to relax her body in preparation for pregnancy. Enthused by the possibility of reuniting with Nino, who Lena has figured herself to be in love with after years at school, mutually impressing each other, she agrees to join them (paid for her time by Lina). 

This is where the story really begins, and it is beyond compelling. If the first half of the book was a struggle to get through, the second half was completely immersive, and I finished it in just a couple of hours. Part of what made it so propulsive was how entirely disgusted I was by Lina's actions and Elena's dependence on her. This book was troubling, and I still can't wait to pick up the next in the series. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent