Scan barcode
mlynn2004's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Suicide and Child death
emcheym's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Cursing, Suicide, Death of parent, Confinement, and Grief
amy_park's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Self harm
Moderate: Child death and Suicide
schromrgn's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Gun violence
lilyaugust's review
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Incest and Suicide
kitten_nuisance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, and Sexual content
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
bookishpip's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s about three girls and their mother who live on an island. The world is dystopian; the seawater surrounding them is poisoned, and in this world the effect of men on women is one of physical decomposition. Sick women visit the island to receive treatment for the effects men have had on them. The only exception to the rule is the girls’ father, who they refer to as King, because he lives away from the mainland and on his supply visits protects himself from the poisoned air that causes men to thrive and hurt women. Until one day he goes missing and is presumed dead, after which the girls and their mother must learn to survive on their own…
At many points in reading, especially as the plot thickened later on, I couldn’t help but see parallels with Lord of the Flies (I loved LOTF so for me, this wasn’t a bad comparison to draw). It felt like an interesting feminist take on remote survival novels. I very much enjoyed it and was hooked. A word of warning though - parts of this book are incredibly intense and potentially triggering. Be aware of trigger warnings!
Highly recommended.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Self harm, Gaslighting, and 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
geneebee's review
4.25
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Blood