Reviews tagging 'Body shaming'

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

17 reviews

lou_o_donnell's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, Hate crime, Grief, Dementia, Death, and Death of parent

alayamorning's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Violence

anika_the_reader's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

This book was really different to what I usually read, but I enjoyed it a lot! It's about 2 twins that grew up in a town where everyone was black but so light they could pass for white. After they run away, one twin lives life as a white woman while the other marries a black man. The author weaves family, colorism, and fate together to create a beautiful story that spans multiple generations and perspectives. While the plot is interesting, the phenomenal writing was the best part. Everything was expressed so skillfully that I needed to read some parts out loud to fully experience how beautiful it was. I'd definitely recommend, but bear in mind that it is a little intense and not suitable for younger readers. It doesn't really follow a traditional plot structure so there were definitely some moments that left me wondering what the point was. However, the storyline was so fascinating that I'm willing to excuse that. I loved how each of the 4 main characters contrasted each other so well and how if it weren't for fate, their lives would be entirely different. I loved Jude's character and the hardships she faced in Millard almost made me cry. Kennedy and Stella annoyed me quite a lot, but I could see why they made the decisions they did. Reece was a great boyfriend and I loved the trans rep that was woven into the story!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia

thatsssorachael's review

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

4.0

Man reading slumps SUCK.

The writing in this book is stunning, and I can understand why people absolutely loved it for that reason alone. But it didn't fully click with me, and I think it's because I tried to read a character driven novel (not usually my thing) while in a deep depressive reading slump. SO I honestly don't want to say much criticism because I'm 90% sure it's all me.

The writing, characters, and pacing were excellent. I enjoyed this one, it was like catching up with an old friend. The hype is real with this one, and I expected My Next Favourite Book, and instead I got a book I enjoyed and highly recommend...and I'm disappointed by that. So if you haven't been touched by the hype, pick this one up and I think you'll love it.

Highly recommend

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Racism, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Racial slurs and Transphobia

beetsnotbombs's review

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Transphobia

Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, Hate crime, Medical content, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Toxic relationship

acarter's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Body shaming and Transphobia

fayelle's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Kept me engaged and interested from the first page to the last. Such an interesting story that while I still have questions, it doesn't feel incomplete. Just a solid common and also unique story of humanity. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Body shaming and Domestic abuse