Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Speak: il Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

22 reviews

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

kayfkaesque's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Rape

annabelreadsandwrites's review against another edition

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

zombiezami's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

As powerful as the original, if not more so, with the illustrations.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Cursing

Minor: Eating disorder and Racism

missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition

5.0

Beautiful illustrations to accompany a moving storyline.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Bullying, and Rape

jrs_55's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Bullying, Self harm, Mental illness, and Sexual assault

jinx_mars's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Bullying, Rape, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship

catsy2022's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Self harm, and Mental illness

Moderate: Alcohol

Minor: Racism and Xenophobia

lazuliz's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Rape

Moderate: Racism, Bullying, and Mental illness

_daintybunni's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Mental illness