Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

8 reviews

tlaynejones's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

This is my first of Baldwin’s books, and it is easy to see why his work stand as modern classics. For the most part I thought this was a compelling and engaging novel. The sense of time, the love between Fonny and Tish, the examination of racist and unjust ’justice’ system were all very well done. I was however really dissatisfied and frustrated with the layers of sexism and misogyny that permeate every aspect of the writing. It will forever challenge me to understand how the ‘great thinkers’ who have worked so hard to shine a light of the reality of prejudice, power dynamics, systemic injustice, and biased social assumptions - in relationship to race - can be so blind to how all of these impact and influence gender as well. I’m glad to have read this, so I have the cultural knowledge, but it leaves me wanting to go back and reread An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, to reexperience and to compare a novel that examines some of the same social injustices, but from the perspective of a contemporary woman. 
Very cautiously recommended, check CW 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Police brutality

sarabrogan's review

emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Confinement, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Sexual content, Rape, and Racism

Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, and Alcohol

Minor: Miscarriage

mpaterson's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A beautiful and poignant prose that offers a brief window into the lives of two interconnected families and explores the interconnection of racism and sexism in 60s NYC. It’s tender in moments and tense in others, sometimes both simultaneously. Both nothing and so much happens throughout the book. Love, in all its forms - unconditional and unhealthy, and emotion carries the story with ease and depth. 

If you’re looking for a beautifully melancholy, yet even hopeful of a story, this is it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Violence, Sexism, Police brutality, Racism, and Sexual content

Moderate: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Classism

Minor: Drug use, Suicide, and Miscarriage

theuncannydani's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

Baldwin wrote this is such a poetic way, but I was still able to follow it. That was great.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Confinement, Rape, Police brutality, and Racism

Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Sexual assault

Minor: Homophobia, Torture, Racial slurs, Blood, Body shaming, Miscarriage, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization

the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Racism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Cursing

Minor: Suicide

kingcrookback's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Confinement, Cursing, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Rape, Police brutality, and Death of parent

Minor: Miscarriage

mikki_9'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
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Confinement, Cursing, Grief, Hate crime, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Antisemitism, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, and Violence

Minor: Torture and Miscarriage

capriganda's review

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Racism

Minor: Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Rape