Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

5 reviews

meeklovestoread's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Honesty, there's not much to say about this book. I flew through it. I think this book, despite its themes, was very bingeable. And weirdly enough, I found myself highly immersed in the story. Whenever I'd put it down I'd get a mini wave of whiplash because I was so into the story that it felt so weird to be out of it. I cannot comment on the accuracy of criminal law practices (the lawyers and their arguments) or the validity of the autopsies. However, for a thriller, I was very surprised at how good the insight was on the issues of rape and sexual assault.

Especially that scene where Kelly had to testify and she was succumbed to the pressure at the beginning of cross. I'd never seen that in a book before and I applaud the author for thinking about the victim first. It would've ruined Kelly to be put on cross and would've traumatized her all over again.

Although, I'm inclined to side with the "alleged" victim first unless there's evidence to the contrary, I think the book (and the podcast) did a great job demonstrating both sides and just how ambiguous rape cases can be. Also when reading this book, I highly HIGHLY recommend you put yourself in the victim's shoes; imagine you're feeling the things she's feeling. When I did that oh my gosh it just made things so real for me. It really takes courage to say something let alone pursue a criminal case so I genuinely admire ANYONE to has the courage to take action. I'd like to note that the audio for the podcast was phenomenal. I definitely recommend the audiobook!

The twist of Bobby seeing the whole thing and testifying was fine, I guess. The ending did confuse me though. I thought the whole gun scene with Dan and everything was cool. Not surprised it was him. What was the purpose of that nightingale>

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Murder, Grief, Sexual violence, and Rape

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Cursing

kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Rape, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Vomit

gen_wolfhailstorm's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

The Details:
Narrated by Bailey Carr, January LaVoy, Samantha Desz
Unabridged 

One of my late netgalley arcs, I decided to listen to via my library app.

This was riveting and harrowing read following a dual sexual assault case, one in the present day and one set in the mystery of a cover up that happened some years before. 

We follow a podcast presenter investigating both cases and it was interesting to see the perspective of varying characters of what, to me, is an obviously awful crime.

The acts done to the body was so graphic and really hard to read, so please bear that in mind.

Overall, I'm glad to have finally read this, but it was a heavy, difficult read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Car accident, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Stalking, Torture, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness

nrogers_1030's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Alcohol, Bullying, Terminal illness, Child death, Violence, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Death

Moderate: Cursing, Classism, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, and Stalking

sleeson's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, and Emotional abuse