Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill

10 reviews

goldenslug's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Eating disorder

electricteal's review

slow-paced

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

0.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Rape

priscilla's review

dark reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

This book was such a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, the writing and the voice are really strong and flow (ironically) like water. It's sooo easy to get through these pages and get sucked up by the story and the pretty wording. But on the other hand the themes were hammered on so often and so explicitly, with the text explaining exactly to the reader what to think instead of letting us do the work ourselves, that it fell flat for me. I like the feminist angle, but i would rather have had it shown to me than told. If more time had been spent actually fleshing out the characters and the moments between them, as well as showing the logic of the world in action more, I would've liked this book a whole lot more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Rape

mchalleyster's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

1.0

I was intrigued by the retelling. However, this book was full of anger and rage toward men. It very much had an agenda, which at times was exhausting. I kept waiting for it to iron out into something redemptive and balanced.

But even the ‘redemption’ in the ending was bursting with vengeance and hatred.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny

Moderate: Rape, Blood, and Eating disorder

Minor: Physical abuse and Pedophilia

kirstenf's review

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Sexism

Moderate: Alcohol, War, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fatphobia, Ableism, and Suicide

Minor: Rape, Drug use, and Pedophilia

thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition

dark hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Rape, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Pedophilia

lilacsophie's review against another edition

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Child abuse

Moderate: Bullying, Murder, Infidelity, and Body shaming

Minor: Homophobia and Genocide

gsch219's review against another edition

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

Fairy tale does not equal happy ending

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Body horror, Gaslighting, and Misogyny

nereanovak's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Lesbophobia, and Fatphobia

autumnal_daydreams's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Would have rather read the sea witches life story as she's the only feminist character.
 
This is a book that hits you over the head with inequality without having to do any of the heavy lifting. It has no time for nuance or developing deep characters or fully realising feminist themes.

If you love exposition dumps, being told rather then shown and black & white plots then feel free to read. 

The author is inspired by the Bloody Chamber and I would urge you to pick up Angela Carter's work instead. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Rape

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body shaming, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcoholism and Homophobia