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al_davies_jones's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Pregnancy, Vomit, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail
sarahkheeter's review
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Xenophobia, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, Murder, Misogyny, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Rape, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Incest
applesodaperson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
One thing was that I wished the setting would have been more solidly defined. I feel like I couldn’t visualize the setting or the house, because it wasn’t really described enough. Like is the house fancy? Because I thought it was supposed to be really rural and off grid but then they have a swimming pool? Also, what time period was this supposed to be? I also wished the characters would have been more solidly defined. I felt like I couldn’t visualize what anyone looked like or how old they were. And none of the characters really had backstories or context, which made things confusing. I also wish there was also more explanation on the main family and how they became how they are with all the rituals.
Another thing I didn’t like was that there was too much of Lia’s point of view. I would have really liked to see more from Grace and Sky and their thoughts on certain events. But I also found the characters annoying. Like with the main man character, I found myself rolling my eyes at him constantly. And the other characters, like Lia, were naive, annoying, and not very compelling. And their character growth felt shallow.
Overall, I really wanted to like this book, but it was way too long without saying anything, and there was literally no point in the entire book where I felt any suspense.
Listened to on Libby.
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Violence
awaywiththefairies's review against another edition
Graphic: Torture, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Pedophilia
nabila99's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
the water cure is a gorgeously written and atmospheric exploration of abuse, trauma, family dynamics, loneliness, and survival as women. we follow the lives of three sisters, mainly the elder two, in their isolated, cult-like family that has convinced them that men are mortal threats to them, and that their abusive “therapies” are the only way to remain strong and unaffected. except one day, when a trio of men arrive on their island, testing their resolve.
this is not an easy book to read - the abuse detailed in it is graphic, and the pain, loneliness and stockholm syndrome of the sisters is very heavy. i’m not a big fan of the revelations or the ending, and i wouldn’t call this a “feminist dystopia”, but i was enthralled by this slow-paced, eerie, heartbreaking story.
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Eating disorder, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, and Drug use
Minor: Suicide
annablume's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The prose is phenomenal, dreamy, very of its setting, but the narrating characters have uniquely deleveloped voices.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Child abuse, Blood, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, and Torture
caitlin1066's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
parablesarah's review
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexual assault, and Child abuse