Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

71 reviews

ivan_levitt's review against another edition

hopeful relaxing 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? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Hate crime, Racism, and Murder

reynasidentitycrisis's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Minor: Rape and Transphobia

emilyurebuckley's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Bullying

marissasa's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

This multi-generational family book is unique and engaging, and unlike any story I've read before. The concept of identical twins splitting off and living vastly different lives that are complete opposites of each other, and their choices impacting the lives of their daughters in deep ways, is so fascinating on its own and Brit Bennett pulled it off in writing effortlessly and beautifully. Every character felt so fleshed out, flawed, and real, from the main family members to their partners and the side characters supporting them along the way. It was satisfying to read diverse and intersectional issues these characters went through being handled in such a well thought out way, and the author's writing really elevated her story with colorful language and noticeable but skillful use of literary devices. I was engaged throughout and found myself reading faster at times because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved the idea she put forward that there comes a point when you have been lying for so long that it becomes true for yourself because it is the reality you've chosen to live and believe. Once this story's television adaptation is ready I will be watching it the day it comes out! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

sjduncan's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Racial slurs, and Rape

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Dementia

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Dysphoria

erd's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Love how the story is organized into chunks diving deeper on specific characters and their pain.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Murder, and Alcohol

None of content is over-the-top or overdone, all of it drives the story along.

shelvedbysara's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-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

Review
More than a story about bloodline, The Vanishing Half is also a story about the search for one's identity and the choices that make us who we are. Brit Bennet explores the complexities of gender, identity and race by writing thought provoking remarks about social inequality and injustice, systemic racism, and the legacy of segregation that continues to shape American society today. Bold, powerful, and deeply respectful of diverse walks of life, The Vanishing Half is a profound representation of privilege and the lack thereof, as well as how it impacts the lives of black people on a daily basis.

Summary
Desiree and Stella are identical twin sisters who grew up in a southern black community during the Jim Crow era (1960s). They had never left Mallard, their small town, but both felt a restless urge to escape — and on their 16th birthday, they did. From then on, their lives follow completely different routes based on the set of choices each one makes about who they want to become and what kind of life they want to lead: one decides to return to her black roots in Mallard; the other decides to live a life passing as white in Los Angeles. But no matter how far one goes, one can never fully escape their origins. Decades after the twins parted ways, their daughters’ paths intersect by chance. What will happen when they find out who the other is?

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Racial slurs, Rape, and Sexual assault

sarahofstories's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual harassment

mairi_red's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad 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

4.75

A very interesting insight into a topic I was very interested to hear more about. This book was advertised to me as an insight into race and identity. And these themes are addressed to a level which broadens your understanding. Yet, the thing that amazed me most about this book is that it tackles what seems like endless other themes with equal respect and intension including gender identity, transphobia, complicated family relationships, white privilege, mental illness, dementia, marriage, sexual abuse and much more. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Dementia

marcy_the_vampireq's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racism, and Dysphoria

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Abandonment