Reviews tagging 'Death'

Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh

18 reviews

mmccombs's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

3.0

Strange and lyrical, I didn’t really like this book until the very end. I feel like it could have gotten weirder earlier?? I liked the themes here, about historical trauma and marriage and loneliness, but I was pretty bored for most of it. The ending was quite haunting and visceral, so I think the build up was worth it, but I almost feel like this could have been more effective as a short story.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Grief

erisouls's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

If you enjoyed reading Bitter Orange you will enjoy this book. It felt strangely similar at times. I liked it enough to read it all in one sitting but I wouldn’t pick it up again, nor do I think I would tell anyone else to read it. 

I was incredibly disappointed that Violet and Élodie never hooked up. I realize that thematically, the ending made sense, however I was crushed hearing how cruel they were to her. Perhaps I am the gullible one for thinking they were ever interested.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Abandonment, Grief, and Infidelity

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Drug use, Eating disorder, Vomit, and Toxic friendship

inkylabyrinth's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Sultry, sensual, sumptuous. The blurb gives way too much away--just read it if it calls to you.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Suicide

bronzeageholly's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

There were incredibly sculpted moments in this book, but the majority of the pacing was not for me. Despite the short length, I found it difficult to keep going and often had to convince myself to come back to it with the thought that there might be another brilliantly written section coming up. I saw it described as a “fever” and I think that fits it perfectly - the highs and lows of temperature. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes beautifully crafted characters who it’s hard to wholly like or hate. 

The main character experiences a lot of obsessive thoughts around sex, bodies, eating, and violence, and I would not recommend this book to anyone who might find this triggering.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

charliecc's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

Taut, sensual, dark. Like a fever dream. Confusing and claustrophobic. But brilliant.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Death, Animal death, and Sexual content

fictionalsarah's review against another edition

dark tense 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? It's complicated

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Minor: Pregnancy

feebles640's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Animal death, Blood, Toxic friendship, Death, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Domestic abuse and Drug use

madamelacy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

The cursed bread almost seems quite peripheral until towards the end of the book. However, this is a gripping tale of a woman who becomes infatuated with a couple who move into the village. Disturbing, bizarre things start to happen and hilarity does not ensue. Highly recommend. Read trigger warnings though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship