Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Naiset puhuvat by Miriam Toews

58 reviews

evanlyn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Pedophilia

thehistoriette's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, Police brutality, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Incest, Rape, and Religious bigotry

sgrizzle's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

3.75

Finished this short book just in time to watch the movie adaptation just in time for the Oscars, where it is nominated for best picture. It is 100% what it says in the title, women talking. The women of a Mennonite colony decide what to do after it is discovered that for years, several of the men have been drugging and raping them at night. The book is set up as schoolteacher August, a man who was not involved, taking the minutes of the meeting. Framing the story of women about women and so women led yet told through the words of a man is an interesting choice (and one that is different in the movie). It’s both quiet and tense, philosophical and yet deeply practical, as these women decide their fates. Definitely not for everyone, and I don’t disagree with some of the criticisms I’ve seen, but ultimately I found it really moving, particularly knowing it is based on a true story. 

(As an aside, I read an interview with the author where she said she wanted to base a story on the real situation, but also she didn’t want it to be about the violence itself, since so many stories are about violence, but about coping with the aftermath. I really appreciate that take.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Sexism, and Sexual assault

hinkleh's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexism, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Suicide, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Alcoholism and Incest

annahelle's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Mental illness, and Violence

Minor: Pregnancy and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

This is a weird little book.  It really is about women talking during a two-day meeting.  I found it strangely compelling, though.  I can't decide if I want to see the movie or not.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Violence, Child abuse, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Rape, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Grief, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Self harm

llamamama08's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

lindsayerin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexism, Rape, Child abuse, Misogyny, and Suicide

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

victoria_c's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Misogyny

aehc's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.75

How do you go on when you have been profoundly betrayed by those closest to you? How do you come to grips with an evil that arises from within your own family and community? How do you draw the line between an individual's responsibility for a heinous act, and the responsibility of systemic forces that shaped and enabled them? 

This is a challenging book, and it took me a long time to get through for how short it is. August's narration at first seemed like an odd choice to me, but I think it's necessary because he provides a window for the reader into the world of Molotschna, which is so deeply outside the typical experience. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse