Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh

6 reviews

schorlett's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Incest, Death of parent, Self harm, Violence, Sexual violence, Torture, Gun violence, and Pregnancy

schromrgn's review against another edition

3.0

---

Content Warnings

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

nabila99's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

 my first thought as i read this was: i don’t understand why the average rating for this book is so low!

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.
 

---

Content Warnings

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

deezy's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Self harm, Gaslighting, Grief, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Miscarriage and Gun violence

whatsophsreading's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Sexism, Self harm, and Emotional abuse

subtlebookish's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

1.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Self harm, and Torture