Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

From The Ashes by Jesse Thistle

6 reviews

popgoesthereader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

An incredibly heart wrenching but important story, this one has been on my list for a while and I see why it has so much acclaim. Jesse Thistle is an expert storyteller, detailing in brutal detail his struggles and triumphs as a deeply broken man, in a system stacked against him who somehow found his way out. Themes of generational trauma and indigeneity are front and center in this story. I think that this story is an important one for all Canadians to read to understand many of the struggles plaguing our society right now, the overdose and homelessness crises along with the deep scars of our longstanding relationship with indigenous people in this country. Thistle holds nothing back, describing in detail the many hardships of his upbringing, the mistakes he made that led him to a life on the streets, and the hopelessness of addiction. It's a brutal and at times difficult read but you never stop rooting for his redemption and when it finally comes it's an emotional crescendo that keeps you hooked. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Death of parent, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Genocide, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Abandonment, Racism, Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse

annabunce's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Self harm, Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Medical content

Moderate: Abandonment

emmaslibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Gun violence, Grief, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse

booksbutmakeitgay's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Medical trauma, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Vomit, and Xenophobia

book_perk's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

4.5

This was a stunning memoir of Jesse Thistle's trauma, courage, and relationships. I was impressed with the honesty and bravery with which Jesse tells his story. The story is intense, extraordinary, and stomach-turning. I loved the writing style with the short chapters and powerful poetry intertwined. 

I don't necessarily feel right trying to rate this book as it is so deeply personal but I will do my best to explain my thoughts. In general, I would rate this 5/5 because it was captivating and most of all Jesse's bravery in sharing his story and pain can be felt through each page. On a personal level, I would rate this a 4.5/5 star because I was hoping for a little more detail on how felt turning his life around, dealing with guilt for past mistakes, and reconnecting with family and his heritage. Nonetheless, I think this is a must read for everyone. Just make sure you look up trigger warnings ahead of time as there are a lot of them! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Gore

Moderate: Blood, Excrement, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Vomit

sunsetcity's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit