Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Real Life by Brandon Taylor

196 reviews

amandalorianxo's review

emotional reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

2.75

So I think my feelings about this book are complex. While I appreciate the story of a black gay man who is navigating getting his master’s in STEM and trying to not fall prey to the angry black man stereotype, I think the white people in this book got away with too much. The microagressions, blatant racist comments and even the sexual assault made me feel pained for Wallace. He didn’t deserve that not ask for it. Why put him through this when his childhood was already troubling? Miller disgusted me. Sometimes the prose got to be a little too much and sometimes I didn’t want to sift through a sentence when something simple could be substituted. I do have hope about Brandon’s other novels and would definitely read more from him. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Homophobia

kiahsbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Racism

Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Homophobia, and Blood

nkeshyy's review

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Honestly, this book has been torturous to read. There's so much level of masochism and self-harming in the way that Wallace stays in situations that require him to leave (which is to say, vvhite spaces). But at the same time, how do you leave something when you've convinced yourself that it's all you have to offer and receive? I keep saying Yho! And crying. I cry for this boy y'all 🤣. It's just a very sad book. It's a very confrontational and fucked up story. Brandon Taylor had no right. It's too raw. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Vomit, Eating disorder, and Sexual assault

ashleyj_reads'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? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This gets very intense at some parts, but it’s so good. Wallace’s story is gut-wrenching in the best and worst ways. Some pieces are very relatable for me too. The reflection that comes from reading this (as a white woman) is exceptionally deep. 
I recommend this book for everyone who can handle the content!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, and Racism

Minor: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, and Mental illness

ejanephillips's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Racism

Moderate: Sexual content, Homophobia, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Mental illness, and Blood

Minor: Violence and Vomit

decie's review

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault

mywayorthehemingway's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Rape, Violence, Racism, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Vomit, Physical abuse, and Pedophilia

swolf1840's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

megpotter's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

I have never read a book quite like this. Taylor's prose is beautiful and visceral, and I feel like this will be a classic in the not to far off future. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

yuhanlin's review

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Homophobia