Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

17 reviews

cassie7e's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I picked this up after a neighbor highly recommended the film. This book was hard for me given the subject matter of the inciting incident, but had much questioning and discussion that I found enriching and important to think about. I loved the characterizations of each woman and girl, how their ages and personalities played into their behaviors and dialogue. Some people dislike that it's women talking in circles but (as per the title) that is the point; the story witnesses women taking control, thinking and talking for themselves, challenging each other, and this is how decision making happens. It felt real and not at all superficial. So don't read this if you need books to have concrete plot.

Some may also dislike that it's narrated by a man, and that the "minutes" are more of a transcript. 

I'm surprised that so many reviews disliked the religious focus of the discussions when it's clearly about Mennonite women, people in an explicitly religious colony separated from the rest of the world. Of course religious questions will be of primary concern for these women! And I did not see them as cold and inadequately outraged - they are seriously discussing actions that defy their entire social structure as a result of the atrocity they experienced, and as many trauma victims, are detaching themselves from the feelings so they can make decisions without shutting down and losing their opportunity to make a choice at all.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, Self harm, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Minor: Vomit, Death, and Miscarriage

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

This is a weird little book.  It really is about women talking during a two-day meeting.  I found it strangely compelling, though.  I can't decide if I want to see the movie or not.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Violence, Child abuse, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Rape, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Self harm

lisesenb's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Confinement, Alcohol, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Self harm, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Grief, Dementia, Deadnaming, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Incest, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Violence, Child abuse, Cursing, and Sexual content

jess_segraves's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Death, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child death, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Incest, and Pregnancy

theelizabethjoy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

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

4.0

TW: rape, sexual abuse, physical abuse 

This book was extremely difficult to read, not only because of the subject matter, or due to the fact that I have been a victim of rape and sexual abuse, but because of how it was written. 
I do think it is a story that needed to be told, that needs to be experienced. If you have been a victim, make sure you are in a decent headspace before reading this. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Violence, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Self harm, Vomit, Physical abuse, and Medical content

Moderate: Incest, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, and Stalking

minisaucisse's review against another edition

dark funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Very good read, but somehow not much to chew afterwards. Am I reading to fast ?

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Vomit, Child abuse, Blood, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Murder, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Child death, Violence, Self harm, Suicide, Sexual violence, Death, Sexual assault, Rape, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Alcoholism

Description are on the effect on the person, not the act itself.

jessbrownette's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Incest, Grief, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and Death