Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

13 reviews

lilybear3's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

I listened to this as an unabridged audiobook read by  Lynne Thigpen.  They have a lovely voice that is graceful, yet captures the heaviness. This is one of the best dystopian novels I have read.  Her messages on social injustices and climate change are true and prophetic.  I was highly engaged for the majority of the book, but I lost a little interest towards the end when

more and more people joined the group on the journey. It was about when Emery and Mora showed up

.  There were a lot of scenes and imagery that felt like it was added for shock value, but I think that is the reality of the world they live in.  I was not a fan of the age-gap relationship, but I interpreted it as commentary on how children mature way too fast when in an environment that forces them to grow up.  Characterization was fantastic.  There were great descriptions while also characterizing through the characters' actions.  Watching Lauren grow into her own and write about her spiritual and philosophical beliefs was so interesting.  I thought the ending was fitting, it wasn't amazing, but acceptable.  I'm glad I read this classic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Addiction, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Pregnancy, Torture, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Domestic abuse, and Rape

Minor: Cannibalism

starccato's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Trafficking

rosiewants2read's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Octavia Butler is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. This book is amazing 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Torture

Moderate: Animal death, Rape, Slavery, and Child death

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Sexism, Suicide, and Toxic relationship