Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Cuéntalo by Laurie Halse Anderson

72 reviews

tortoisemonster's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jaimeberger's review against another edition

Go to review page

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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

the_embodiment_of_chaos's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sam_roberts's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

travelseatsreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kbucheit's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad fast-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

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ell_porritt's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional 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

3.75

the graphic novel was a fast read and i 100% want to read the novel now. the messages behind the book was just amazingly represented (obviously because it was something that happened to the author) but i liked how it wasn’t brushed over, all the trauma and after math that comes with something like this is told in detail. 

most of the characters are dicks and some of the things the main character said were very relatable and some quotes stuck out more than others. i think everyone  should read this book at least once so they can get a better understanding about things like this or what not to do to someone who’s a survivor 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jackelz's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark
“He stole my words from me… but now it’s time to speak.”

Melinda is starting her freshman year of high school friendless, an outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. But to me, her silence is deafening. 

Throughout the book, Melinda was working on an art project and it was so amazing to see her project come to life through Carroll’s artwork. 

It blows my mind that people want to ban this book and it’s original; by doing so they are continuing to silence women and their stories. Everyone needs to read this book. 

“Speak up for yourself, we want to know what you have to say.”

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bookshelfofbee's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sar_a_i's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings