Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Páradais by Fernanda Melchor

77 reviews

emilymayreads's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Murder, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Rape, Kidnapping, Violence, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault

mariana27's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.25

This book is incredible, from the way it's written (inner monologue) to the plot, it's oh so very dark but so entrancing. Class wars will start in Paradais. 

Please check content warnings ! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Incest, and Violence

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

1.25

i think i understand what paradais tries to do, but the eventual execution of its ideas was just not it for me. melchor def delves into many aspects of life in mexico - or a particular kind of the country if u will - be it class, sex, colorism and life under gang control. the novel shows a unfiltered, brutal look into the lives of those rarely given such glaring spotlight in books. moreover, once the action gets going, it becomes a thrilling, rollicking ride thats almost impossible to stop.

w/ that said, a lot of the content can be raw, dark and challenging. this isnt a bad thing, esp as it's a necessity in the book, inseparable from the reality of the world depicted. my issue is when coupled w/ the endless droning narrative - or unending descriptions thats bafflingly detailed to the point of being redundant, to be more apt - of the story's first half, it becomes almost unbearable to trudge on and read.

ig melchor's technical and stylistic choice here is supposed to firmly put readers into polo's and franco's heads, providing a rationale or explanation for two main characters' warped views and choices that ultimately result in the tragic ending, but it simply overwhelms the narrative for me. the entire first half's spent describing and explaining both characters' psyches and situations, and imo for a supposed thriller there's too little action that drives the story forward, w/ the characters' actual plotting and action - which is excellent btw - only taking place in the last 20% or so.

considering the book's rating im obvs in the minority here and i do wish i could like it, but this just isnt it for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Violence

Moderate: Murder, Rape, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Kidnapping

Minor: Torture

zazreads's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Classism, Fatphobia, and Gun violence

clara_mai's review against another edition

5.0

 Ein verstörender, harter, faszinierender Roman mit einer Handlung, die mich mit ihrer Abwärtsspirale in den Bann gezogen hat. Wie schon in ihrem Debüt Saison der Wirbelstürme, lässt Fernanda Melchor ihre Figuren in einer gewaltvollen Sprache erzählen, die strukturelle Probleme spiegelt und in Verbindung mit der Handlung Gesellschaftskritik übt. Unglaublich beeindruckend! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Excrement, Fatphobia, Violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual violence

elysiumreads's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Sexual violence, and Gun violence

munchkin_reads's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Incest, and Misogyny

marvizu's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, and Violence

Moderate: Misogyny, Alcohol, and Stalking

thebooksanctuary's review

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Torture and Violence

bookstagrem's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

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

My heart is beating out of my chest and I kinda feel like I’m gunna throw up. I’m not saying don’t read it because wow was it a force but certainly don’t say I didn’t warn you because oof.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Violence, Body horror, Misogyny, Rape, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

Extremely graphic sexual assault descriptions.