Reviews tagging 'Genocide'

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

4 reviews

bowbeforeloki's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This book was so emotionally driven.  I couldn't put it down but it broke my heart

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Gore, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Murder, Pedophilia, Genocide, Child death, Colonisation, Addiction, Classism, Mental illness, Racism, Trafficking, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Medical content, Rape, War, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Toxic relationship

romonko's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

This book is a very well-written, immersive novel that examines a time that was not familiar to me.  It is set in Malaya during WWII when Japan took it over from the British.  JuJube and her family lost the life of privilege that they had during the colonization by Britain, and become a family that is scared, starving and that has lost hope and a family that had to fight for their existence under the Japanese.  The novel is full of graphic and poignant moments and it examines themes like family, social status, unfriendly occupation, death and despair. The story is one that needs to be told, but I found it difficult to listen to.  I did listen to this on audiobook, and this type of story does not lend itself to that medium as well as it should.  I found that I had trouble getting through the story because of the graphic descriptions, and because I did not like any of the characters in it at all.  I could not sympathize with Cecily as much as I wanted to.  I couldn't understand JuJube and Cecily's younger daughter, Jasmine.  The only character that I sympathized with was Abel, her son.  The book illustrates clearly the consequences of keeping very dangerous secrets.  The ripple effect works it way down through the entire family and all friends and acquaintances with dire consequences. The book is compelling and quite unforgettable, and grips the reader by the throat until you read the final, bitter words.  .  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Genocide, Grief, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

This a totally graphic and descriptive book that does not spare any punches about the horribleness of war

happyknitter2020's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Absolutely tragic account of war, the significant abuse of young children & families, by those in control.

Observing a fictional family,  their friends & an exploitating lover, brought their horrific life experiences to life.  

Difficult to say you 'enjoyed' such a book, but definitely appreciate how this brings historical experiences to life & helps you to reflect on the current world wars & individuals experiences that are happening today.

The audio book was fantastic. Definitely recommend to others.

Thanks to Netgalley for letting me to listen to the audio book & provide this review.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, War, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Child abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Murder, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Rape, Pedophilia, Torture, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Death, and Slavery

katrinaslibrary's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Grief, Kidnapping, Slavery, Genocide, War, Colonisation, Murder, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Rape, Trafficking, and Pedophilia

Minor: Racism

This book is set during the Second Sino-Japanese war where the Japanese Imperial Army committed war crimes, across Asia. Please be mindful that for some readers can be triggered by generational trauma.