Reviews with content warning for Rape - Disgrace

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

esszeegee's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

2.5

I gave an extra star just for the writing.

The subject matter is very dark and hard to get through. I can find thought-provoking themes in this book, it's not badly written. There is a lot going on sub textually when it comes to culture and racism and misogyny.

I cannot get over the fact that this main male character is repulsive - a creepy, 50-year-old rapist who got turned on by the fact that his student's hips were "narrow as those of a 12-year-old's", ugh. An old white privileged misogynist that does not redeem himself in any way throughout the book.

A book that silences women's voices, makes me wonder about the author. I do understand this was written over 20 years ago and some, not all, attitudes have changed - I just did not like it.

Content Warnings

theoreads's review

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This is one of those books that I really wanted to like, but wound up hating instead. Heavy subject matter aside, the writing is solid enough - good, but not great - and it kept me engaged. That said, I would pay actual money to unread this. I don’t usually mind unlikable protagonists, but this book had so many unredeemable, g-dawful characters that I couldn’t get past, which made it difficult to feel connected to what was happening. Wouldn’t read it again, going straight in my donation pile.

⭐️ 3.75 for writing
⭐️ 3.5 for “value in discussion” (I can see this being interesting in a seminar context re: its (allegorical) depiction of South Africa in the wake of Apartheid, although I’d imagine I’d get far too heated about how much I dislike this book)
⭐️ 1 for literally everything else

Content Warnings

abookcaterpillar's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The book draws you in with the first sentence. Lulling you into a serene landscape, it suddenly stuns the reader with a grotesque crime. It is heart-wrenching and contemplative simultaneously.

Content Warnings