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Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'
The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts by Soraya Palmer
9 reviews
rltcoach's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book weaves the narrative of a family through generations and across continents.
Parts of it took my breath away.
Parts of it filled me with rage.
Parts of it made me blush.
At least once, I was brought to tears, and at the end, I was left longing for another beginning.
I'm so glad to have experienced this one, and am looking very much forward to Soraya Palmer's next book of tales!
Parts of it took my breath away.
Parts of it filled me with rage.
Parts of it made me blush.
At least once, I was brought to tears, and at the end, I was left longing for another beginning.
I'm so glad to have experienced this one, and am looking very much forward to Soraya Palmer's next book of tales!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
amyvl93's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
One of the things I do miss about my old book subscription is it putting really interesting books into my hands that I may not have otherwise found, and Beatrice Porter is definitely one of those novels.
The novel follows two sisters, Zora and Sasha, living in New York with their Caribbean parents, whose lives are shaped by their parents storytelling of myths from the islands, including Anansi and Rolling Calf amongst others. As their parents marriage disintegrates and the two sisters drift from one another, these stories are how they find a way forward. Zora becomes increasingly interested in storytelling, whilst Sasha begins to explore both her sexuality and her gender.
Palmer's writing throughout this was so vivid, both in the narration from the two sisters, who feel like distinct enough characters - to the voice of the novel, who explores the stories from the Caribbean and who shines a light on the family histories of the sisters - and the cycles that the family seemed doomed to repeat. She gives even the characters who you instinctively want to turn away from nuance.
Whilst there is a lot going on within the pages of this book, it never felt like too much - and I felt like Palmer gave space to the discussions in here, particularly those around gender and mortality. Not all the magical realism worked for me, particularly towards the end but I'll definitely read more of Palmer's work in the future.
The novel follows two sisters, Zora and Sasha, living in New York with their Caribbean parents, whose lives are shaped by their parents storytelling of myths from the islands, including Anansi and Rolling Calf amongst others. As their parents marriage disintegrates and the two sisters drift from one another, these stories are how they find a way forward. Zora becomes increasingly interested in storytelling, whilst Sasha begins to explore both her sexuality and her gender.
Palmer's writing throughout this was so vivid, both in the narration from the two sisters, who feel like distinct enough characters - to the voice of the novel, who explores the stories from the Caribbean and who shines a light on the family histories of the sisters - and the cycles that the family seemed doomed to repeat. She gives even the characters who you instinctively want to turn away from nuance.
Whilst there is a lot going on within the pages of this book, it never felt like too much - and I felt like Palmer gave space to the discussions in here, particularly those around gender and mortality. Not all the magical realism worked for me, particularly towards the end but I'll definitely read more of Palmer's work in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Transphobia
michaelttay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I went through every emotion multiple times!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Abortion
Minor: Rape, Terminal illness, Cancer, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Miscarriage
Take your time because it’s often heavy but the author does a great job of having lots of moments of humor and joy too.morethanmylupus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a great debut. It isn't light reading, but I really enjoyed getting to know Beatrice and Zora. The addition of Jamaican folklore and traditions was beautifully integrated into this story. The topics aren't light (domestic violence, racism, homophobia, illnesses, child abuse, infidelity, parent-child relationships) but it's beautifully done and compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Child abuse, and Racism
the_true_monroe's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.75
This book is a tough one to process, in a good way. I never read anything like it, where the narrator goes in between directly telling about the day to day lives or specific events that occurred in the lives of 2 sisters, their mother and father, to telling stories of mythical creatures (often the family would tell these stories), to combining both to where you were made to wonder what was meant to be part of a mythical retelling or was happening in the moment in terms of interactions of the mythical and magical creatures with the family.
The magical realism is used to address and emphasize experiences surrounding coming of age, cultural identity, gender and sexuality, racism, trauma and what I think was one of the most defining themes (as it interacted with each of the ones I mentioned prior): generational trauma.
I found this books thanks to Storygraph’s Around The World Challenge- representing Trinidad (this book takes place in Brooklyn, NY, Jamaica and Trinidad).
Definitely will be looking for more written by this author to enjoy!
The magical realism is used to address and emphasize experiences surrounding coming of age, cultural identity, gender and sexuality, racism, trauma and what I think was one of the most defining themes (as it interacted with each of the ones I mentioned prior): generational trauma.
I found this books thanks to Storygraph’s Around The World Challenge- representing Trinidad (this book takes place in Brooklyn, NY, Jamaica and Trinidad).
Definitely will be looking for more written by this author to enjoy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racism, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Death of parent, Cancer, and Abandonment
Moderate: Abortion, Vomit, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Murder, Torture, Dysphoria, Suicide, Dementia, Outing, Drug use, and Alcoholism
Minor: Pedophilia, Incest, Slavery, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Sexism, and Cultural appropriation
philosophicellie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
I really liked how this book spun together the mythology, family history and personal narratives of the main characters. It showed that lives are complex and our understandings of what is happening is shaped by our stories.
There is a lot that is difficult to read (see content warnings) but this is not used gratuitously, and finishes in a positive but not perfect way.
There is a lot that is difficult to read (see content warnings) but this is not used gratuitously, and finishes in a positive but not perfect way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Colonisation, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Abortion
nini23's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The opening is smashing and I like the cheeky cynical omniscient narrator. However, this novel reads young and the narrative unravels about two-thirds in. The folklore of Anansi, Dglo, the Rolling Calf, soucouyant and douen intertwine to make sense of life for a pair of American sisters with Jamaican Trinidadian heritage growing up in a chaotic household. Their home life is marred by domestic violence and infidelity by their father Nigel on their mother Beatrice. The narrator from Anansi Stories promises to make us not hate the father by telling us more backstory. I still dislike Nigel for abandoning his first family and mother.
Let's talk about mothers. Being lgtb or a blocked young writer does not give teens an excuse to not be there for your mother. Especially if she is terminally ill with cancer and wants to spend more time with you Teenage angst does not eclipse everything. A lot of dramatics with little substance. The daughters weren't there to support their mother, the sisters didn't prop each other up, I am really not sure where the empowerment is.
There are a substantial number of lgtb characters - Harold (Nigel's brother is homosexual {his death still doesn't explain why Nigel is an ass}), Beatrice (I'm guessing she's bisexual or the lesbian part was beaten out of her by her mother), Sasha (lesbian or trans, unclear), Shay (trans)
I like the anti-colonial points made. That scene at the Jamaican restaurant is electric! 👍to the Trinidadian English dialogue.
Overall, I much prefer When We Were Birds by
Ayanna Lloyd Banwo.
Let's talk about mothers. Being lgtb or a blocked young writer does not give teens an excuse to not be there for your mother.
I like the anti-colonial points made. That scene at the Jamaican restaurant is electric! 👍to the Trinidadian English dialogue.
Overall, I much prefer When We Were Birds by
Ayanna Lloyd Banwo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Rape, Transphobia, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Cancer, Colonisation, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism
d0505's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Body horror
Moderate: Colonisation
2treads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
"Nothing more dangerous than a story with an owner that no one can touch." –Beatrice
For me, it is the seamless weaving of our orality and roundabout ways of telling stories and histories that make this such a worthwhile read. Palmer has paid homage to the wealth of history that our stories represent. Using this very fractured family where violence, resentment, communication and its lack, familial dysfunction, and sexual identity are their own little stories.
For Sasha and Zora, their home was always volatile. Even when stories were shared, there was that darkness that seemed ingrained in the essence; how the one who tells shapes it for their own purposes. Here, the interaction between mother and daughters and father and daughters shows a complicated dichotomy and how parental influence and actions recur through generations.
I love the way Palmer reimagined our folklore, using it to tackle and highlight issues that are widespread and all too prevalent in our communities. Reading Beatrice and her daughter's stories was both a reckoning and celebration of the intricacies of our history and homes.
For me, it is the seamless weaving of our orality and roundabout ways of telling stories and histories that make this such a worthwhile read. Palmer has paid homage to the wealth of history that our stories represent. Using this very fractured family where violence, resentment, communication and its lack, familial dysfunction, and sexual identity are their own little stories.
For Sasha and Zora, their home was always volatile. Even when stories were shared, there was that darkness that seemed ingrained in the essence; how the one who tells shapes it for their own purposes. Here, the interaction between mother and daughters and father and daughters shows a complicated dichotomy and how parental influence and actions recur through generations.
I love the way Palmer reimagined our folklore, using it to tackle and highlight issues that are widespread and all too prevalent in our communities. Reading Beatrice and her daughter's stories was both a reckoning and celebration of the intricacies of our history and homes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Body horror
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