Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers

49 reviews

trippalli's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

A challenging but important read in the history of the black experience in the United States in this historic fiction. The violence in women and overt violence and abuse of humans. Numerous rapes, child sexual abuse murders, racism of course, slavery.. It's all very difficult to listen to on an audio book or read in this 600+ pages tome.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense slow-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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Colonisation

ukponge's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

5 stars does not begin to cover the excellence and devastation wrought by this book. Best book I have read in a long time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Murder

maevebm's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

5.0

One of the most beautiful and moving stories I have ever read. Fanonne Jeffers creates a complex and rich family with remarkable flaws, joys, tragedies, and identities. The reader watches Ailey as she grows and learns about her history and the history of her community. The reader also hears the voices of the past, who provide an added layer of characters and settings. 

I loved so much about this story, but the writing flowed unlike any other. It progressed naturally and each character’s voice was their own. It made reading their hurts that much more difficult.

I am so grateful to have picked up this book and read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Grief, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, Murder, and Pregnancy

jcargabr's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder

blondereader's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

A long book but worth reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Minor: Abortion

Not recommended for anyone triggered by reading about sexual crimes. This is a tough book, but again, worth reading.

caseythereader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

 - There's no way I can cover everything THE LOVE SONGS OF W.E.B. DuBOIS encompasses in a measly Instagram caption, so the main takeaway here is that if you are up for it, this book is a must.
- Ailey and her family are both specific and universal (and in many ways, that universality is deeply tragic). At times this book feels like it could be nonfiction, until you get to a particularly stunning turn of phrase (honestly, more poets should write literary fiction, it's always incredible).
- Don't let the 800 pages deter you. LOVE SONGS is completely engulfing, intense and heartfelt. Do take the content warnings seriously though, and proceed with caution if needed. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Colonisation

Moderate: Homophobia and Antisemitism

waywardtrekkie's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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

I genuinely do not have works for this masterpiece of a book. This book will stay with me for the rest of my life. The easiest 5 star I have ever given. One of the best stories ever told. Honorée I will read literally anything you write. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

ebonyrose's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-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? No

5.0

This novel is a magnificent feat, an incredible journey, and a gift to modern American literature.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Hate crime, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation