Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Real Life by Brandon Taylor

37 reviews

solenodon's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Racism, Homophobia, Rape, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Child abuse

Moderate: Abandonment, Vomit, and Violence

Minor: Racial slurs, Infidelity, Fatphobia, and Sexual content

shreyshrey's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75

Nails a really specific feeling

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Vomit

yavin_iv's review

reflective sad slow-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Rape, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Racism

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, and Vomit

Minor: Violence

mattdjf's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, Vomit, and Misogyny

voidboi's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

4.75

What can I even say about this book? I ached as I read, submerged in gorgeous and brutal writing, feeling both deep connection and intense alienation as I was let into Wallace's head/body. 

In Real Life, the complexities of grief, memory, identity, and relationships converge over a weekend of experimental setbacks, socializing with friends, walks through a midwestern city, and a burgeoning sexual and toxic connection. The story is grounded in Wallace's internal experience, playing with the stark border between the self and others, as the othered. I was especially impressed by the way Taylor masterfully evokes the existential crisis that is academia, different from my experience in humanities and social sciences, but still painfully familiar with far-reaching impacts. Throughout this book, the world is honestly rendered in both condemnation and empathy. It hurts. I'll carry this one with me for a long time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Racism, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Violence, Animal death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, and Vomit

hbrown's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Vomit, and Physical abuse

jamieadelee's review

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I felt like this book was speaking to me, that idea that pursuing higher education leaves people in this kind of limbo between being young and real life. Some parts were difficult to read but it felt very honest. Especially the portrayal of race in academia, I wanted so badly for there to be some redemption for Wallace in those scenes against Dana. The character of Wallace and his ever ticking mind felt very relatable as an introvert. Overall, will read this authors work again!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Sexual content