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Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'
How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones
158 reviews
julie123's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
This book is a small slice of life after Adan kills a wealthy white man and his own daughter (though he won't admit to the latter). Lala, his wife and main character, must reckon with this while also understanding that she can no longer lay low or suffer his abuse. Her story is framed by that of the one-armed sister, who went into a tunnel when she wasn't supposed to and came out with one arm. Lala wonders why this tale is cautionary: the one-armed sister can still cook and clean, though it might be more difficult. Her grandmother Wilma retorts, how is she going to sweep her house? Well, this story explains how.
Lala went into her own tunnel and married Adan. Though he does physically harm her, but not to the extent of her losing her arm, she is totally restrained. He steals her money, he silences her, he traumatizes her. She is no longer, metaphorically speaking, a complete woman. Something about her has been lost along the way, and it's all thanks to Adan. And, of course, it's Adan who goes into the tunnels and he, until the end, remains unharmed.
We are also privy to their history: how Lala and Adan grew up, how Adan doesn't know that Lala and his best friend Tone know each other from childhood, how Lala's mother died. The stories weave together to create a scenic yet terrifying backdrop of how they came to be.
I so wished for Adan to be punished. I wanted the police officer to solve the case. I wanted Mira to have her justice. But books like these don't give us a neat ending. Instead, they give us a new beginning.
Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Misogyny, and Child death
cynthiareads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape and Child death
meenalgarg's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
mangopanels's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Infertility, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Drug abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
littlepepperguy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder, Medical trauma, Grief, Classism, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Rape, Death, Sexism, Child death, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Infertility
honkinggoose's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, and Violence
monstar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use
deen734's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Grief, Domestic abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
bookishtwally's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
Graphic: Child death, Rape, and Domestic abuse