Reviews tagging 'War'

Bolla by Pajtim Statovci

25 reviews

krobart's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.0

 This novel is beautifully written and ultimately haunting. However, I so disliked Arsim that it was hard for me to read. He is absolutely vile in his behavior to almost everyone in the book but especially to his wife and children, whom he periodically deserts and beats when he is there. When he thinks later that he did his best by them, he defines this as financial support. Really, he deserts anyone who poses any difficulties. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Hate crime, Racism, Religious bigotry, Genocide, War, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity

james1star's review against another edition

emotional 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

I have thoughts but I don’t know what them thoughts are… it had lots of good parts but also a fare few bad bits too so Yhh. I think I’ll give this a reread and then update this review. Probs a 4 star but things can change. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia

Minor: Homophobia, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Rape, Pedophilia, Racism, Genocide, Child abuse, and Sexual assault

loganmedrano's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, War, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence

thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Medical content, Rape, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Homophobia, Racism, War, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Violence

Minor: Racial slurs

princessmaia's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Deportation, War, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual content

hughesie's review against another edition

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Rape, Violence, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, War, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Genocide

annieinthearchives's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Domestic abuse, War, Violence, and Vomit

errie's review against another edition

challenging dark

• Loveable characters? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Confinement, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Child abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Excrement, Forced institutionalization, and Genocide

leahb88's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-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

4.75

The writing in this book was so gorgeous I underlined so many good quotes. I love reading from an unlikeable main character and Arsim takes the cake he was truly cruel. It was like following him throughout his life and watching the destruction unfold behind him. It was so interesting how he tied it to mythology. I was slightly confused about it at the beginning but it all made sense by the end. The way that this book ended was so heartbreaking but so perfect. DEFINITELY check the TW.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Rape, Pedophilia, War, Genocide, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Body shaming

happyknitter2020's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

So sad, hard to put into words. Tragic insight to others' experiences in our same, but so different, world.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Torture, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, Violence, War, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma