Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

146 reviews

marie_is_reading's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Body shaming, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts

ilka_dorothea's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Alcohol

mynameisjule's review against another edition

challenging emotional fast-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, and Toxic relationship

morgankailackerman's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-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: Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, and Abandonment

alicelalicon's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Abandonment, and Alcohol

deesquared's review against another edition

emotional funny 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: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Stalking and Abandonment

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

becca_thegrimreader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

4.0

“Queenie” is a book that I fell in love with as it portrays race,  love, mental health, and self-acceptance. It is hard not to love our titular character, Queenie, as we meet her at her lowest. Struggling after a breakup and being looked over and pushed back at her job, she is on the verge of a breakdown. She is unable to see the version of her that we do, a caring, intelligent, and loving person. 

As Queenie spirals we see her make decisions to try and comfort herself and chooses sex as her method to do so. These sections were difficult to read as the men are abusive, manipulative, and cause her physical harm. I would warn those who read it that there are scenes of sexual abuse and harassment. Not only this but these men seek her out due to her race, and have a fantasy of being with a black woman. The way these men treat her is heartbreaking and made my blood boil, and even more shattering is Queenie’s viewpoint that she doesn’t deserve any better. 

One of the things I liked most about this book and praise it for would be the challenges and commentary Candice Carty-Williams makes on stereotypes. As Queenie seeks help for her mental health, we are shown the cultural stigma around mental health and therapy. She is the granddaughter of Jamaican immigrants and expects that they will be angry and upset at her for going to therapy. Instead, she receives an outpouring of love from her family and friends. Another stereotype that she makes abundantly clear and shows the traumatising effect of, is the fetishization of black women. 

Through it all, Queenie has the support of her friends. I would love to have Kyazike as one of my best friends if only fictional characters were real-life people.  Their Whatsapp group reminds me of my own group chats with friends, hilarious moments filled with honest and heartwarming friendship. They support each other and are there for Queenie no matter what. 

Pitched as the next “Bridget Jones,” I couldn’t disagree more. This is a book that I devoured and has its funny uplifting moments. But underneath is a much more complex story that tackles race and mental health. Queenie herself is a character that you love from the moment you meet her. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

nicichels's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Miscarriage and Misogyny

bunnyreads2's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-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

4.75

Really enjoyed it! (Some slight thematic spoilers) An amazing way to expose how intergenerational trauma and domestic violence can impact someone well into their adult life until they can unpack it all! 
Also loved the way the friendships and support systems were explore through the cast of characters. 
And very concrete examples of how racism shifts someone’s daily life and existence as a whole. 
All wrapped in some intelligent humor and sarcasm 👌

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

ewolf's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

TW: Mental health, sexual assault, sexual harassment, emotional and verbal abuse

There is a lot to unpack with this one. Not sure about the Bridget Jones comparison, as this book is more raw and real to connect with for those who have had their mental health take a deep dive. Was hard reading what Queenie was doing to escape and evade what was really happening to her. 

This is a beautiful story of a women spiraling mentally after years of negative enforcement, abuse, and neglect. Then of her clawing her way out despite the stigma of mental health in her family and general circle. 
Did find the healing part a bit fast paced, and would have been nice if the author allowed Queenie to continue with therapy. As it is a longer term healing process than a few months. Also, when to the point of experiencing anhedonia (the inability to feel joy) it generally takes longer to pull out of it. This is my only issue, but over all this is a great book to read, though rough on the spirit for the material that the author covers. 

P.S. Didn't care for Tom. He basically gaslighted her and acted like it was nothing when his family were being racist to her. Didn't matter if it was on the sly, he should of stood up for her, and corrected them. (The others weren't winners either. He was just the one that seemed to of got glazed over as a "nice" guy.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment