Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom by Nikita Gill

8 reviews

cartermon4's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Biphobia, Bullying, Body shaming, Colonisation, and Homophobia

Minor: Grief, Child abuse, Alcohol, War, and Violence

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

4.5

A beautiful poetry collection telling the coming of age story of Paro. I learned a lot about partition and the Hindu Gods and Goddesses! Gill remains one of my favorite poets and this collection was a unique one 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: Biphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Homophobia, and War

Minor: Child abuse and Body shaming

jennamcclendon's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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

5.0

This was such a stunning book. I annotated it in pencil in my copy, so most of my thoughts for individual poems and stories are in there. There were so many incredible quotes and themes and messages these poems brought. I wasn’t expecting it to be told as a continuous story, but to be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect because I haven’t read a legitimate poetry book before. This one was so unique and empowering and I absolutely loved it. 

Everything she wrote about, even though I’m pretty sure Paro was just a character (I’m not sure if it was based on her own life or not), seemed so real. Her work brought to life some of the things that the world is afraid to talk about that can be best conveyed through personal experience, like sexual assault and coming to terms with your femininity and sexuality and the path you want your life to go on. Some of these poems and quotes hit really close to home, which is what poetry is supposed to do to you. Make you feel. I can only hope that my future is as promising and as happy as Paro’s in the end when she is surrounded by her friends/sisters, a boy she likes that likes her, and her family while also being true and honest with herself. I don’t know if I’ll ever get there, but I can hope. 

I also loved how religion and Hindu mythology were such a huge part of this book. Paro had a real gift when she was able to communicate with the Gods and Goddesses and heroes and listen to their stories. I learned a lot about the different deities and where they came from and what they stood for and what they had to teach. I may legitimately look back on these stories and poems for advice and quotes in the future. Shikhandi and Kali were probably my favorites and I want to know more about them the most, but I loved them all. Paro’s connection with them and the Tarot they speak through makes me want to grow closer with my divine self (and also makes me want Tarot cards more lol). 

This was a book about divinity within yourself, especially the divine feminine and the energy of femininity, and discovering parts of yourself as you live your life. It was incredible to see Paro’s story develop this idea and also read it in such a poetic format. The stories AND THE ILLUSTRATIONS really made this book special. It was such a great read. :) 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Violence, and War

freg's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

i loved it 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Violence, War, Fatphobia, and Body shaming

Minor: Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Eating disorder

rini's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Xenophobia

joramous's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Biphobia

artsybrea's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Islamophobia, Racial slurs, and Xenophobia

lennie_reads's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Thanks to NetGalley and Ebury Press for this ARC. 

So before I wrote this review I checked my notes from reading it and at the end I've put 'just wow' so that might give you some insight as to the time of this review!

This book is written in prose and interspersed with Hindu mythology and illustrations. It follows the life of Paro; from before she was born, her childhood and up to her time at University. 
It's hard to describe this book because I feel that it's something that you have to experience yourself but I will say that it's an empowering, feminist, queer, body celebratory, heritage embracing emotional rollercoaster. 

The book deals with a lot of heavy subjects including racism, sexual assault, sexism, societal expectations (especially for Desi women) whilst also threading through visits from gender fluid Hindu deities who tell Paro (and the reader) a story that is relevant to whatever struggle she is going through at that time. 
I LOVE Hindu mythology so I loved this part just as much if not more than that main story, as well as the absolutely fierce unapologetic and awe inspiring deities.

My heart absolutely ACHED for Paro, and especially life as a queer individual in India. Until reading this book I was unaware that Section 377 in India was only repealed in 2018!!! 

'Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is a section of the Indian Penal Code introduced in 1861 during the British rule of India. Modelled on the Buggery Act of 1533, it makes sexual activities "against the order of nature" illegal.'

This book made me cry and ngl I'm getting emosh writing this review because it's all coming back to me. All I can say is Nikita I love you, I love this story and I will be recommending it to everyone.

CW: homophobia, biphobia, misogyny, sexism, racism, religious bigotry, sexual assault, rape, child abuse, paedophilia, violence, xenophobia, islamophobia, hate crime, genocide, violence, body shaming, mental illness

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Sexism

Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault