Reviews with content warning for Rape - Speak: The Graphic Novel

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

131 reviews

mmuutthh's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I have not read the source novel this is based on, but this "adaptation" was brilliantly effective. As someone who chronically and nervously bites their lips, every line around the main character's mouth was felt by me. There is a theme that is presented -- very explicitly -- near the beginning, and it winds up becoming beautifully visualized and potently enriching by the end, but I couldn't help think it could have been more present in other ways more thoughtout the middle of the book. (Or maybe it was and I just wasn't as focused on it when it wasn't literally being commented on in the text or visually.)

But yes, I loved the book -- as messy and complicated as it is to say that about a book revolving around the topic of sexual assault. My only other slight criticism is there's moments where it feels like the book was made to be printed in color, and there's some real contrast issues between some of the text and the art.

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grclnntt's review against another edition

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fast-paced

4.0

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rin_kate_katie's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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? It's complicated

5.0

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veerleox's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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plagiarizzim's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

2.0

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thisameliagirl's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

4.75

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kables_reads's review against another edition

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holly_tree's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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gluvsbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

‘Speak’ is a graphic novel that explores the dark and haunting aftermath of being a survivor. It is so very needed in today’s society, the topics discussed may be on the heavier side but they are important nonetheless—there should be more books like this one especially in GN form to help reach younger audiences.

It was an emotional read, watching Mel go through the stages of depression, anxiety and PTSD after her sexual assault. From her just wanting to hide and disappear to being able to stand up and speak for herself; from feeling numb, to finally seeing the light was most empowering.

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Quotes:

“It takes more to scare me now.”

“If I try hard enough, maybe I can gobble up my whole head and disappear.”

“I wash my face until there is nothing legit of it. No eyes, no nose… no mouth. A slick nothing.”

“The whole point of not talking about it, of silencing the memory, is to make it go away. It won’t.”

“I just need to hang on long enough for my new skin to graft.”

“They don’t even know me. They have no clue what’s in my head.”

“It’s beginning to feel like IT raped my mind, too.”

“I survived.”

“Frozen stillness melts inside me. Shards of ice drip to the floor and vanish int the puddle of sunlight.”

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