Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

3 reviews

joensign's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Confinement, and Body shaming

Moderate: Gaslighting, Police brutality, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, Body horror, Classism, and Pedophilia

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Murder, and Drug use

livlostinstereo's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

After reading the Owens' Family books from Alice Hoffman (which I highly recommend!), I was recommended to read The Museum of Extraordinary Things over all of her other books. When I saw that my library had it, I just couldn't resist.
What a fantastic book. I struggled to put it down. Once again, Alice Hoffman delivers a masterclass on writing characters that feel so vividly real. Coralie and Eddie are wonderfully well-rounded characters.
The ONLY reason this isn't a 5 from me is because the ending felt slightly rushed. That's not to say it wasn't good - it just felt a bit rushed in comparison to the pace of the rest of the book.
But nothing will stop me from rereading this with the same love I have reread The Rules of Magic with time and time again.
The historical fiction of this story is truly immersive and just makes you want to read and learn more about the various events referenced.
If you read anything this winter, please let it be this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Death, Gaslighting, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Medical content, Physical abuse, Rape, and Self harm

Moderate: Torture, Police brutality, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Grief

guinevere_s1994's review

dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

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

3.25

I enjoyed this book. Which surprised me because after reading practical magic and being a bit disappointed (its my favourite film) I was expecting to dislike it . This book had a few sad moments but I really cared about their characters and wanted to find out what happened to them. It was easy enough to read, a nice slow pace which I needed after reading a book that was much more action and speed. With my last book I had to take regular breaks to digest everything that happened but with this I could sit and read it for a few chapters and not feel tired which was nice. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Physical abuse, and Animal death

Minor: Police brutality, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, and Animal cruelty