Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Gerald's Game by Stephen King

36 reviews

theimposter's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is a beautiful and traumatizing expression of trauma (sexual trauma specifically) and of the mind’s internal family system which Stephen King writes so accurately and in such a personifying way. It was also the most triggering book I’ve ever read and I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who is triggered by sexual abuse/rape or anyone who doesn’t want to read gore and body horror. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Death, Incest, Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, Body shaming, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

kreglow's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Blood, Domestic abuse, Grief, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Sexism, Confinement, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Death, Sexual assault, Stalking, Torture, and Violence

nenaveenstra's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

I was impressed by how deeply and respectfully this book discussed sexual assault - this was way more than just a thriller surrounding a BDSM game gone wrong, it was a psychological event. I was deeply entertained and shook to the core with everything that happened. I'm not 100% sure how accurate the depictions of schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder as well as sexual assault were, but they felt respectful and I appreciate that.

I do think this book could've benefited from killing some darlings, if you know what I mean. Especially the last thirty-ish pages - which read as a sort of epilogue - could've been scrapped in my opinion, leaving the ending a bit more open. It was all tied up too neatly.

Anyway this was a fun time, and I'm glad to have read it. Nothing tops The Shining, though ;)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, and Child abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Body shaming

Minor: Ableism, Antisemitism, Drug use, Animal death, Fatphobia, Suicide, Eating disorder, and Misogyny

The book is based around an idea of BDSM that isn't entirely accurate and can be very harmful. This is not what BDSM looks like, everyone!! Because BDSM would imply mutual consent!!! Also there are two subtle references to Nazi Germany in this book which were kind of odd - they were supposed to be funny I think, but I thought they were a little bit tasteless.

agathareadsie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Trigger Warning - Childhood SA and Domestic Abuse

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence

motivationsloch's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Incest, Blood, Pedophilia, Rape, Death, and Child abuse

cearamcvey's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Misogyny, Mental illness, Murder, Violence, Gore, Incest, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Body horror, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

ajg2289's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

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

1.0

This was my first Stephen King novel and will be my last. He uses the word “cunt” in a really obnoxious way and he seems to be darkly fascinated by children and sexuality and exploiting them in that way. Making up horrific stories and scenarios and describing them in the most dense, pointless way. DO NOT RECOMMEND. 
The twist at the end was laughable and had nothing to do with the story prior the last 40 pages. Terrible.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, and Cursing

taliahalleck_'s review against another edition

icky! gross! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Child abuse, and Incest

danimacuk's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

nicole_cob_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Body horror, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Stalking, Grief, Gore, Child abuse, Cannibalism, Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Misogyny, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Sexism, and Mental illness