Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy

5 reviews

kpitsker's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Self harm, Child abuse, Suicide, Physical abuse, Rape, Mental illness, and Racism

drbex's review

challenging dark slow-paced

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

2.0

It did eventually start to grow on me, but there was too many instances of the n word for a book written in the 80s (even if the story began in the 1940s) and that really almost had me putting the whole thing down. It was also unnecessarily long. I'm all for added exposition, but I think the story could have been told fully in about 400 pages instead of almost 700. 

I read this for Coach Beard's Book Club (a Ted Lasso book podcast) otherwise I probably wouldn't have finished it. I don't get why it's Dr. Sharon's favorite book unless her claim that this was her favorite was tongue in cheek because Ted said his favorite was Fountain Head. Or maybe she considered it a collection of infinite case studies for therapists! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Racial slurs, Self harm, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse

brokensporty's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

This is Conroy at his best, but this book is not for the faint of heart or easily offended. It has some very powerful scenes (child abuse, rape, sodomy, murder, racism and integration of schools, mental illness, etc) that need to be taken in context. 

The blatant racism is included because it was a part of the time period the Wingo kids grew up in. Tom's early wanting to just ignore it and go along with his peers is exactly how things go down every day. That's what teenagers do. They try to fit in. Savannah is also representative of some teens. She stands up for what she knows is right no matter the consequences.

The graphic portrayal of the rape ties in to the coping mechanisms of different people. While I believe that Savannah's mental illness is hereditary, I also believe the events in her early life led directly to her dissociation and suicide attempts. Tom's way of dealing with being forcibly sodomized is far different from his sister's.

This is a beautifully written Southern story about family connections, abuse, mental illness, the power of the past, the power of forgiveness, and moving on. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to read Conroy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Self harm, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Racism, Suicide attempt, Rape, and Toxic relationship

easpenceva's review

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Animal death, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

misskeesa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence