Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

12 reviews

tinkithesquirelll's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative sad tense 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

4.5

4.5 stars.
This was a phenomenal book. I loved the inside on how india operated and the families. This was a beautiful book about hardship , love , guilt, and starting over. I love Lakshmi and respect the hardship she had to endure throughout this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Racism, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Infidelity, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide

headrickjeanne's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Abandonment, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child death

hannazoeo's review against another edition

60% into this book, I realized it was going to be a dnf. I was enjoying parts of the story and Lakshmi as a character, aside from it being a sort of "exotic" portrayal of India written for Westerners. But then I couldn't get over the glossed-over child sexual abuse, and when the author tries to make Lakshmi's abusive ex-husband a sympathetic character. We learn that he "only" beat her because he knew about her induced miscarriages - while being in an abusive marriage she never wanted. A redemptive arc is okay... but not done in this shallow way. 

I understand that India, and especially women in that country, has had an extraordinarily difficult time with its history of child marriages and sexual abuse. But I've felt that these things can be written about with a feeling of desensitization or reasoning I can't understand. This isn't really a criticism of the author(s) and their experiences, but just a feeling that made this book not right for me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse

kw05's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Transphobia

sunderwoman's review against another edition

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Miscarriage, Rape, and Blood

sastork's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Classism, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Rape, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury

its_van_vulpen's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Infertility, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy

olivinebranch's review against another edition

emotional informative 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion and Miscarriage

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Rape

louise2000's review against another edition

dark hopeful slow-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

Graphic: Abortion and Miscarriage

Moderate: Rape and Domestic abuse

linesiunderline's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-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

4.0

The Henna Artist is a transporting kind of read. Joshi brings the setting to life with all kinds of sensory details.  Lakshmi is a complex and engaging character - you want to see her find her way to a fulfilling life. Self-discovery, the strength of family, and female empowerment are central themes here, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in the story telling. Excellent narration on audio.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, and Vomit