Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - Ward D

Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Ward D by Freida McFadden

36 reviews

brittlke's review against another edition

Loveable characters? No

Hands down the worst book I have ever read in my life. I love to hate a character but this protagonist is insufferable. She is a medical student that should immediately be thrown out of med school. I’m so disappointed that, Frieda the author, is a doctor because the way that not only the patients but how mental health in general is treated in this book is abhorrent. Besides all of that it is just not a good read. Incredibly predictable thriller in a deeply boring way.

Content Warnings

daydaybookbay's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

I rated this book a 9 out of 10. I loved this book. It'sfast-pacedd and keeps you on edge waiting for the next shoe to drop. Although I figured out the twist in the first half, the ride there was so much fun. Will definitely read it again!

Reasons I couldn't give a 10 out of 10 rating is mostly how I predicted the ending. There's only so many twists you can create in a locked psychiatric unit. Also, I feel the mental illnesses are very generalized. There's a lot of diversity in reality, but the depictions here were very Hollywood-esque.

This is my first book by Freida McFadden, but it definitely won't be my last. I have heard many good things about her other novels, so I am super excited to read them in the future as well.

I love how easy it is to throw off the reader. All the characters are in a psych ward, and the main character questions her own sanity from the get-go. Every single person's credibility is demolished since Chapter 1. With no reliable character, there is a wide open playing field for the story to travel. Because of this, the storyline has no clear path, and it's easier to mislead the reader. I love it!

Jade took me by surprise multiple times. Her character was all over the place (obviously).

I do like that there was no redemption arc for her, though. Sometimes, having a bad guy just stay a bad guy is so freaking satisfying.

Content Warnings

nuuamuikkunen's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

1.0

The premise is interesting and I like the plit twists in Freida’s books, but this book is just filled with stigmatizing depictions of mental illnesses and just plain wrong, that I cannot in good conscience give it a good review.

Bipolar disorder doesn’t make you want to kill other people. Scizophrenia doesn’t make you want to kill people. These disorders are more harmful to the patient than the people around them. Cmon. Easy research. Totally inexcusable to write books like this in this day and age.

All in all, the way these patients are talked about gave me the ick.

Plus, the main character is just soooo unbearable. Hated her. I’m starting to see that it’s a pattern with Freida’s books. But the plot is usually so good, I keep on reading them.

Content Warnings