Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

4 reviews

nehaanna's review

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

The writing is evocative and intoxicating. While slow in some parts, the plot moves quickly in the last third of the book as the main character finally reaches his appointed destiny and in so doing, peace with himself.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Racism, Torture, Violence, Death, Racial slurs, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Slavery, and Trafficking

Moderate: Abandonment, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Classism

cerilouisereads's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Violence, Slavery, Death, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Grief, Racism, Police brutality, and Pregnancy

Minor: Sexual assault

jennifer_bush_73's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence

therainbowshelf's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful medium-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

5.0

What if the Underground Railroad had some help from incredible magic powers? Hiram Walker, a man born into slavery, finds his life unexpectedly entangled with the Underground when strange happenings in his own life catch their attention. 

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting, and the book really took a hard look at the lives of enslaved black people in US history. I also liked that the story worked magic into the amazing work of the Underground Railroad without being reductive.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Physical abuse, Racism, and Slavery

Minor: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Sexual assault