Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Weight by Jeanette Winterson

6 reviews

morgue666's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I can lift my own weight. I can lift my own weight. I can lift my own weight. 
I want to tell the story again.

so many times reading this i had to just put it down and take in what i was reading. this touched me on an atomic level. beautifully written, wonderful storytelling and intertwining of the author’s own life with the character of atlas. it’s nice to know that there are other people deeply attached to atlas in this way. i can lift my own weight.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Violence, War, and Blood

childlimbs's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

Words cannot describe how delighted I am to have this book in my life. I've checked it out again for the forth time since mid-2022 — I'm making a personal zine inspired by 'Weight'. It held my hand and I haven't dropped it since; highly recommend to those carrying so, so much. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Violence, Gore, and Animal cruelty

Using Insta to find reads is always a gamble, but I'm a sucker for a good retelling. I think this book found me at the right time. 'Weight' have name to the shame I've allowed to stagnate, how I perpetuate a cycle that's kept me from the joy and change I crave. It told me I can put it down, I'm strong enough to. That I am the continuation of a spontaneous burst of energy, and I can take it anywhere I please. What burns in me has for millenia; through this cheeky retelling of Atlas and Hercules, I've found the strength to be more than what's define me. I hope someone else feels as deeply about this book as I do !! Sexual Assualt TW; I did find Hercules to be jarring at times. This is an interpretation of Greek mythology, a brilliant and comical one — the casual mention of rape in these stories always struck a cord from personal experience. Maybe that's to capture rape culture and mens' disregard for their victims ? Idk, I'm just not keen on these parts, but fortunately brief sans the initial scene with Hera. My love for 'Weight' overshadows this One Thing — forever weeping over how the cosmos and story were woven together.

withlivjones's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.25

A retelling of the lives of Atlas and Heracles that discusses the different kinds of strength and the line between fate and free will. I loved the bits about Altas, hated the bits about Heracles (particularly the weird sexual tension between Heracles and Hera??), and didn’t quite get the bits where the book seemed to briefly turn into a memoir. A bit of a mixed bag but still worth reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Murder

beccabenfrad's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Beautifully written. I love this type of experimental fiction - almost poetry. Without a clear narrative at all times, Winterson is able to communicate the complexity of her reflections. She plays with the limitations of language to express the limitless. Even if you don't fully comprehend, you feel and understand. At times there was so much reflection that I had to reread a passage several times, but I did read it in two sittings while falling asleep. Overall it was beautiful and my immediate reaction upon finishing it was to pick it up back up and make a study of it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

meowdalore's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Weird, but not bad. There was a mixture of some postmodern devices, which I wasn't expecting. I think winterson has an honest and vulgar author's voice, I find it kinda realistic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death

Minor: Kidnapping, Suicide, and Animal cruelty

rosan's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault