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emilily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, Alcohol, Torture, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Blood
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really felt like I got to know all of the characters (even those without a POV, like Hannah – Scott’s well-meaning but ignorant white girlfriend) because all of the characters were so fully human in their interactions, rationale for behaviours, and personalities (especially interactions among the Traverse family). I've seen other reviews saying that the large cast was confusing and hard to connect with but that wasn't my personal experience - the family tree was useful but my takeaway was that specific relationship titles were less important that the support and familial bonds they shared.
Spoiler for discussing some character actions.
I also appreciated the double meaning of the Break – it’s both the name of the land where the assault happens, and a representation of a break in the timeline/reality for Emily and her family – the Before and After because of this event. People break away from others, break away from their bad habits (or fail to), and break hearts.
I think my favourite thing I take away from this novel is how well the women in this family support each other. Despite hardships and traumas they’ve faced in their pasts, and various difficulties they have with each other, they love and support their family.
One question I do have is why all the POVs are limited third person except for Lou (the aunt and social worker), who’s in first person. I’m not sure why Vermette made that choice. It didn’t detract from the novel as a whole but, in my limited view, I don’t know what it added.
The writing is also fairly straightforward - it's easy to read (in contrast to the subject matter) but Vermette knows how to make an impact with some powerful statements throughout the text. For those who prefer more flowery or overly descriptive language, this won't be the writing style for you.
Overall, I thought The Break was a fantastic novel and I can’t wait to read the companion follow-up, The Strangers.
Trigger/Content warnings: on-page rape/sexual assault with an object, physical assault, vicarious trauma, slurs and outdated language used on Indigenous people. Domestic violence, alcoholism, child death, drug addictions, and references to gangs are also mentioned in the text. However, there’s also lots of wonderful healing discussions and reliance on family and traditions to support each other through these events. As the book says, it’s about recovering and healing from violence and trauma.
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Sexual assault, Grief, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug abuse, Pregnancy, and Child death
elerosemac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Drug abuse
jacq_s's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Fatphobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Drug use
Moderate: Medical trauma
tctimlin's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.25
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
jecunninghamreads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, Racism, and Violence
whatyouegg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
emilyspurr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Blood
kelseak96's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Racial slurs
njw13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Rape and Violence