Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

179 reviews

angelbabe_cj's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful tense slow-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

3.75

The writing here is absolutely excellent, just the story wasn't as much for me. Even if the arc overall was both satisfying and something I enjoyed. The early parts of the story were pretty off putting for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Body shaming, and Racism

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse

Minor: Fatphobia, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide

kimberlyallen011's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Racism, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Miscarriage

Minor: Suicide attempt and Eating disorder

anastasia_okodure's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-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? Yes

3.5

To characterise the protagonist, Queenie, as a ‘black 21st century Bridget Jones’ would be a misnomer, as Queenie defies the ‘frazzled English woman’ stereotype.  A story about a young black woman trying to navigate modern day (but pre-Covid) gentrified Brixton, facing challenges related to heartbreak, identity, trauma, mental health, and life generally going from bad to worse. Queenie’s is a story of inner strength, proof that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual assault

Minor: Sexism, Eating disorder, and Miscarriage

ank3's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring 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? Yes

4.5

I picked this book up with no idea what would come. The misogynoir way (white) men handle Queenie and her body is devastating. The book shows how it feels to be lusted after by misogynistic, racist men who crave the exotic black female body. The accumulation of all these interactions keep building up on Queenie's already traumatised life experiences and low self esteem until eventually she gets knocked down by it all.

The first half of the book is heart wrenching. The ending warmed my heart. Queenie shows great strength in this world where she is mistreated repeatedly. She picks herself up by accepting therapy which is not accepted in her culture. She slowly recovers with the help from her realistically imperfect friends and family.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Infidelity, Self harm, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Abandonment, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Racism, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Violence

the_horn_man's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

Moderate: Domestic abuse

ebun_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape

Moderate: Racism and Physical abuse

zara89's review against another edition

emotional 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Infidelity

Minor: Suicide

katiee_mar's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Minor: Domestic abuse

jj_tj's review against another edition

dark funny reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Racism, and Sexual content

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, and Infidelity

mariamsaidwhat's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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

3.25

So many of Queenie’s experiences were so brutal I really question the judgment of everyone who compared this novel to Bridget Jones because there is truly nothing similar in tone. I will say that while some situations felt forced, and I didn’t believe Queenie’s relationship with Tom at all, the dialogue all felt very real, which is so difficult to do. Seeing her growing relationship with her grandfather was nice, and I wish we could have seen more of that. 

I would also fully recommend checking the content warnings for this book if that’s something you need. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Self harm

Moderate: Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Child abuse, Medical content, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Infidelity and Eating disorder