Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Stoner by John Williams

15 reviews

lief_'s review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Infidelity

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Cancer, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and War

Minor: Alcoholism

klor's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

I had to take a few minutes of silence after I finished this book. There's a quietness to it the whole way through and a loneliness, not a bombastic one. The plot doesn't really have a lot going on, we're just following this man's life and yet the writing was so good that I just had to keep going. I honestly got so attached to our protagonist and felt for him through the various unfortunate things in his life

through his failed marriage, to not being able to connect with his parents after going to college, to the shitty bureaucracy in his job, his mentally ill wife emotionally distancing his daughter from him, to not being able to be with the woman who actually loved him

it's not a grand thing or events but damn they hit hard a lot once they enter the picture. Half the time, readers can see it coming and you almost wish that he should stand up for himself but that's just not his character. The love he had for literature is the same love I have for the field I'm in. This story simultaneously made my heart clench and then break and then make peace with it. It's like ribs by lorde but like as an adult lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Infidelity

Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, and Mental illness

cherryredmarlene's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

This was very slow and in depth about different aspect of the life of one character, but that’s EXACTLY what tickles my pickle so good for myself. I can however see how this could be boring for some.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Ableism, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and War

Moderate: Addiction

r_v_apples's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Infidelity

shooper's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

I surprisingly enjoyed this book. Stoner leads an objectively bleak and depressing life, yet he finds ways to appreciate his insignificant existence. It is a reminder of what truly matters in life. This is reflected in the melancholic tone of the book that makes even the most depressing scenes engaging. It also depicts how trauma gets perpetuated within families and, in my opinion, this was portrayed excellently with subtle hints in behaviours and dialogues. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault