Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Páradais by Fernanda Melchor

52 reviews

idahol7221's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Murder, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Rape, and Torture

gerzonvillegas's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, Murder, Death, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Excrement, Rape, and Incest

reading_sadie's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

2.5

A troubling story of the classism, sexism and difficult situations many in Mexico find themselves in. Not for the faint of heart. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Ableism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Incest, Body shaming, Misogyny, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Murder, and Rape

river_robin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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: Gun violence, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, and Murder

Moderate: Racism, Incest, Fatphobia, Rape, and Torture

laneport's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

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

4.5

An incredible work of literature and translation. But brutal, and hard to enjoy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Murder, Sexual assault, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Child death, Pregnancy, and Child abuse

Minor: Drug use and Cursing

lsmith36's review against another edition

challenging dark sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This book was brutal but compelling. I liKed seeing the train of thoughts Polo had, and how unlikable he was as a character. You feel sorry for and despise him the entire time. An interesting critique of machismoism that I think works well for international audiences.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Murder, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Blood

owmyleg's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

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

ayoderable's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Violence, Incest, Homophobia, Misogyny, Death, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Vomit, Murder, Rape, Blood, Addiction, Gun violence, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Gore

darbo's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

3.5

A disgusting and vulgar piece of literature.

Paradais certainly was not a favourite of mine. Fernanda Melchor uses disgusting and vulgar language that might deter some readers, and make the ones that do decide to stick around uncomfortable. However, this is not a definite. I am sure there are also readers who do not mind that sort of language, and I obviously see the point the author is trying to make with this. It is quite clearly the voice of someone who is angry, and for good reason. At the same time as being a disgusting, misogynistic, and cynical piece of literature with absolutely unlikeable characters, it is also a voice that needs to be heard and an issue people need to talk about urgently.

However, let me warn you. This book fulfills all the trigger warnings you can think of; alcoholism, misogyny, violence, r*pe - just to name a few. And all of them are very much graphic at that.

Needless to say, this book was not the one for me, hence the 3/5 stars (3.5 on StoryGraph). I agree with the authors' point, but I disliked how they chose to portray it, even though such offensive language and violence is probably the right way to do it. Better to just read it for yourself. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Murder, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Body shaming, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Stalking, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, Blood, and Sexual content

luna_snowfeather's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

 This book was brutal in the best way possible. Absolutly Unhinged.

We follow 2 teens in mexico as they graple with their place in society. Melchor's writing makes you almost feel for them as you are brought into this intense moment in their lives, when they are really at their worst. What they do is horrific, and completely deranged.
I have seen many bad reviews for this book, and can put it down only to its very graphic writing. It is not for the delicate, and features very graphic and vivid images of sexual violence and complete madness. If that's not for you, then do not read this.

I found it so unbelievably adictive, I only wanted to continue. The pages practically turned themselves, especially at the end... I'd recomend to anyone who is mentally able to take it, it's not for everyone. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Fatphobia, Incest, Misogyny, Murder, Alcohol, Torture, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Violence