Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley

3 reviews

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

3.0

An interesting look into racial politics in the years just after WWII. Lots of violence interspersed with emotional introspection and reflection. Definitely heed trigger warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

fourfootedbeasts's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Murder, and War

c_l's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

From the forward: 

This was always my notion of Easy Rawlins and the people that populate his neighborhood. He and his friends face every morning having to scramble up the slippery slope that is America, that is business as usual, that is an unequal sense of innocence and guilt, that recognizes and prejudges race, gender, and class before wondering about the who, what, and why of the crime committed. Easy is an American hero.

This statement felt right before I read the book, and now that I'm returning to this particular quote, it feels so well articulated to this novel. I really enjoyed this read. Mr. Mosley had so much to say about money, class, race, gender, morals, American culture, Southern American culture, LA culture, violence. All of it interesting. I really enjoyed the turn Easy took, it felt like it changed his actions in a memorable way, without hurting the readers existing understanding of his morals.  Great characters across the board. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Police brutality