Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

18 reviews

florizona's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

My personal goal of reading everything that Emily Carroll has illustrated led me to pick up her graphic novel interpretation of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, which was not something I’d normally choose, but I really enjoyed it. Carroll’s artwork made the emotionally heavy material easier to bear somehow- in a way it’s not far off from the spooky material that she usually presents- the same anxiety and fear is there, but directed at human physical and social interactions rather than the supernatural. And the satisfaction of having a loved protagonist find reconnection with her family and community is gratifying.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship

thirdtimesacharm's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism

gluvsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

‘Speak’ is a graphic novel that explores the dark and haunting aftermath of being a survivor. It is so very needed in today’s society, the topics discussed may be on the heavier side but they are important nonetheless—there should be more books like this one especially in GN form to help reach younger audiences. 

It was an emotional read, watching Mel go through the stages of depression, anxiety and PTSD after her sexual assault. From her just wanting to hide and disappear to being able to stand up and speak for herself; from feeling numb, to finally seeing the light was most empowering. 

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Quotes: 

“It takes more to scare me now.” 

“If I try hard enough, maybe I can gobble up my whole head and disappear.”

“I wash my face until there is nothing legit of it. No eyes, no nose… no mouth. A slick nothing.”

“The whole point of not talking about it, of silencing the memory, is to make it go away. It won’t.” 

“I just need to hang on long enough for my new skin to graft.”

“They don’t even know me. They have no clue what’s in my head.” 

“It’s beginning to feel like IT raped my mind, too.” 

“I survived.”

“Frozen stillness melts inside me. Shards of ice drip to the floor and vanish int the puddle of sunlight.” 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Rape, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Racism, and Sexism

vincef's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Classism, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying

Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Blood, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, Racism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Xenophobia

antireading's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Bullying, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Eating disorder, Xenophobia, and Vomit

samjd92's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm

jinx_mars's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Bullying, Rape, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship

meroree's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

jaimeberger's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

Speak is a book that everyone should read and no one should have to. It's dark and intense and a beautifully done portrayal of adolescent trauma. You connect with the main character, you want to reach through the pages to encourage her, and ultimately you cry with her. I will definitely be reading the full length version of this as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, and Domestic abuse

travelseatsreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I'd seen Speak: The Graphic Novel recommended by dublinbookmum and despite not knowing a thing about it, knew immediately it was a graphic novel I needed to read. The book was originally published as a young adult novel in 1999 and adapted to a graphic novel in 2018. I can honestly say the combination of both the words from Laurie Halse Anderson and artwork from Emily Carroll is one of the most beautifully devastating, haunting and powerful I think I will ever read. 

There is not too much I want to say about this book as I really want everyone who reads this to pick it up and experience it for themselves. This graphic novel is something very special and really goes to prove that the genre can be so meaningful and worthwhile.

Within these pages both women's talents combine to convey the sheer breathtaking level of damage that sexual violence has across every aspect of a persons life. The pervading noxious nature of the trauma and damage lingers and crawls through every page within the most striking art work. There are so many points within this graphic novel where I had to put it down and just sit with the intense feelings of rage and devastation it brought and for a book to do that really is something spectacular.

While being an absolutely gut-wrenching read, Speak isn't without hope and really shows the continuous ever changing journey a person goes through after experiencing sexual violence. It is a book I truly believe should be put into everyone's hands in the hope of someday broadening the discussions and understanding of sexual violence and it's impact.

I borrowed this from the library and will be ordering a copy to keep on my shelf, it's something I never do with graphic novels but this is simply so much more. I also hope to read the original novel and Laurie Halse Anderson's memoir Shout in the near future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Bullying, Rape, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault