Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

104 reviews

mltillery99's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Lisa See has done it again. I want to read everything she writes. 

Nobody has ever made me want to pick up a history book like Lisa See - even my best friend who is a history teacher and anthropologist/archaeologist. Her writing style captivates me and leaves me wanting to dive deeper. Hearing history told from a female perspective is so refreshing. 

I enjoyed how the narrative weaved together past and present, introducing a new perspective in the chapters set in 2008. The dual timeline enriches the story. 

The friendship between Young-sook and Mi-ja is raw, complex, and beautifully portrayed. A quote from Mi-ja in the chapter "The Ring of Fire," stuck with me: “Many people when they envision being faced with hardship believe they will fight back, but when I was a child and had to live with aunt and uncle, I learned what really happens … by the time I wanted to fight back, I was too weak.” This powerful reflection on resilience and vulnerability is a testament to See's ability to convey profound truths through her characters.

I’m giddy to read more from this author!!!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse

belletex's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

Very grim historical events from a personal pov. Goes from slow to very intense. I wish it had a happier ending because it leaves you feeling sad. Great book on the hole but not something I enjoyed reading or would pick up again. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Animal death, War, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Torture, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Rape, Pregnancy, Death, Colonisation, and Child death

cloudpine's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Child death

Moderate: Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, War, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

isa_acevedo's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, and War

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Rape

franzicalzelunghe's review against another edition

emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, War, Genocide, Grief, Death, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, and Child death

passionatereader78's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

This is a heartbreaking read! I had to put this book down several times.  It's well written.  It's a great example of how messy and complicated friendship is.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, War, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Pregnancy

Minor: Religious bigotry, Rape, Torture, Gun violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Murder, Violence, and War

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault

mel_lo77's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad slow-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Genocide, War, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Rape

emmyreads03's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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: Gore, Genocide, Suicide, Grief, Violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Hate crime, Police brutality, Torture, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Physical abuse, and War

avsharp's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

A raw, tragic and wrenching story about the ties between two women being torn by historic events and the cruelty of war, as well as the darker sides of men and tradition. I learned a lot about Jeju's 20th century history, the island's cultural practices and social customs, and was really engaged by the story of Young-sook and Mi-ja, though I was a little disappointed that the main barrier to resolution was the unrelenting stubbornness of the protagonist. 

The actions of some of the characters were understandable, even if not relatable, and the bitter resolution left me feeling quite reflective and sombre about the generations of civilians - and especially women - caught up and senselessly set against each other in conflict after conflict. A tale that looks back at the trauma echoing from past events, but no doubt carries much relevance today.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, War, Torture, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Violence