Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

65 reviews

edamamebean's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• 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? N/A

4.0

I feel like it’s important to say from the outset that this is not a murder mystery. It’s a meditation on racism, the justice system, and the constant, almost casual violence that is inflicted upon women. It asked a lot of really important questions and definitely got me thinking. Bodie’s own internal struggle reminded me of a time in my own life when I had to reexamine my high school memories after my favorite teacher was outed as a predator. Something I especially liked about this book was its ability to make clear that what happened to Thalia is not exceptional. In fact, it happens all the time. Worth the read. Although it is very heavy, the subject is handled with care and nuance. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

emugo's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious fast-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? No

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book where the narrator is addressing the possible killer directly throughout while telling the story of how events in the past and present unfolded. The story was a bit predictable but it took you on a wild ride before it got back to the obvious resolution, which was entertaining. The characters are loveable even though I’m not convinced they’re supposed to be. The plot was definitely believable as well. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Violence, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Sexual violence, Murder, Bullying, Cancer, Rape, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Abortion, Blood, and Body shaming

porktheorc's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, Racism, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, and Rape

torturedreadersdept's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Child death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Classism, Cursing, Drug use, Body horror, Physical abuse, Grief, Violence, Alcohol, Bullying, Cancer, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Stalking, Self harm, Transphobia, Rape, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Suicide, and War

megreadsitall's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Grief, Sexual violence, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual assault

annaka's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

I felt like the book was longer than necessary with plenty of unnecessary bits but it held my interest and I likely could have forgiven that if not for the ending feeling so rushed. We finally get to our killer and the we rush through the court case verdict and what happens after. The ending felt unsatisfying and I even went back and listened again thinking that perhaps I had zoned out during some important details. The main narrator isn’t very likeable, but this can be forgiven as well as part of the flawed system. The voice narrator did a good job with the reading and I think I felt more sympathy for the main chracter opposed to others in my book club due to this. The author also tries to philosophize and pass judgment on many issues, which is inherently bad, but almost seems to weaken the focus or power on any one theme. Overall, it held my attention and I mostly enjoyed it, but it won’t be a reread and I won’t be likely to pick up another book by this author. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault

Minor: Cursing

jagwar's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Cancer

anne8373's review against another edition

challenging dark sad

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual harassment, Child death, Sexual violence, and Death of parent

earthie's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Honestly, this book was better than I expected it to be.

I think some of that is because I stopped near the end and spent the time contemplating what I wanted for the book ending, I suppose. I didn't know what would make me feel satisfied, which was good.

The book also stuck with me more than I expected it to. I've found myself referencing some of the prose just in my day-to-day life and thinking about it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Sexism, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Physical abuse, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexism, Misogyny, Child death, Sexual content, Stalking, and Hate crime