Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

63 reviews

florizona's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-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

5.0

My personal goal of reading everything that Emily Carroll has illustrated led me to pick up her graphic novel interpretation of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, which was not something I’d normally choose, but I really enjoyed it. Carroll’s artwork made the emotionally heavy material easier to bear somehow- in a way it’s not far off from the spooky material that she usually presents- the same anxiety and fear is there, but directed at human physical and social interactions rather than the supernatural. And the satisfaction of having a loved protagonist find reconnection with her family and community is gratifying.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship

thirdtimesacharm's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism

grclnntt's review

fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Self harm

veerleox's review

dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Rape

Minor: Self harm

plagiarizzim's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Rape

Moderate: Racism

eveattwood's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

kables_reads's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Rape

Moderate: Eating disorder

holly_tree's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Rape

gluvsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

‘Speak’ is a graphic novel that explores the dark and haunting aftermath of being a survivor. It is so very needed in today’s society, the topics discussed may be on the heavier side but they are important nonetheless—there should be more books like this one especially in GN form to help reach younger audiences. 

It was an emotional read, watching Mel go through the stages of depression, anxiety and PTSD after her sexual assault. From her just wanting to hide and disappear to being able to stand up and speak for herself; from feeling numb, to finally seeing the light was most empowering. 

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Quotes: 

“It takes more to scare me now.” 

“If I try hard enough, maybe I can gobble up my whole head and disappear.”

“I wash my face until there is nothing legit of it. No eyes, no nose… no mouth. A slick nothing.”

“The whole point of not talking about it, of silencing the memory, is to make it go away. It won’t.” 

“I just need to hang on long enough for my new skin to graft.”

“They don’t even know me. They have no clue what’s in my head.” 

“It’s beginning to feel like IT raped my mind, too.” 

“I survived.”

“Frozen stillness melts inside me. Shards of ice drip to the floor and vanish int the puddle of sunlight.” 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Rape, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Racism, and Sexism

annabelreadsandwrites's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Rape

Moderate: Self harm

Minor: Sexism and Racism