Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

63 reviews

kdepenhart's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense 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? No

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Rape, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Self harm, Physical abuse, and Mental illness

kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Rape, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Vomit

erin_knor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I liked how this story was told in a partial podcast format. It was an intriguing story. It just didn't hook me as well as other thriller type books.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Physical abuse, and Child death

Minor: Death of parent

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

The Details:
Narrated by Bailey Carr, January LaVoy, Samantha Desz
Unabridged 

One of my late netgalley arcs, I decided to listen to via my library app.

This was riveting and harrowing read following a dual sexual assault case, one in the present day and one set in the mystery of a cover up that happened some years before. 

We follow a podcast presenter investigating both cases and it was interesting to see the perspective of varying characters of what, to me, is an obviously awful crime.

The acts done to the body was so graphic and really hard to read, so please bear that in mind.

Overall, I'm glad to have finally read this, but it was a heavy, difficult read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Car accident, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Stalking, Torture, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness

ruthypoo2's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Cancer, Grief, Blood, Car accident, and Suicidal thoughts

leebeeloves's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, Bullying, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Stalking, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Vomit and Gun violence

kassy182's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Honestly, it was horrifying and sad but ultimately well written and well rounded

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence

drauer14's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Really enjoyed this book! It definitely capitalized on the podcast craze, and felt a bit “Only Murders In The Building”-esque. It tactfully covered rape culture, the revictimization that occurs in our justice system and how privilege and power (especially in a small town) truly pull the strings. There are tough portions to get through, but overall the novel was well-written, intriguing and a variation on an often overdone theme. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Physical abuse

Moderate: Sexual harassment

goatsbookgarden's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape

readersmultiverse's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

• It’s not so much a thriller; it’s more of a mystery with a very important focal point and focus: rape and what victims of it must endure to try to get their rapists convicted. 
• There are dual mysteries with similarities since both are dealing with victims of horrid sexual crimes. Both were interesting to follow, especially through our strong and investigative main character, Rachel Krall. Her podcasts episodes were scripted out for readers and was entertaining to read. Rachel was perceptive, brave and intelligent. The writing throughout the book was brilliant and cleverly worded. 
• The twists aren’t shocking, nor do I think they were meant to be. The point was clearly more about the story of what happened and the difficult journey of trying to obtain justice. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Rape

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Terminal illness