Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

3 reviews

myking3's review

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Rape, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Murder

annabulkowski's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Dysphoria, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Death, Cancer, Biphobia, Addiction, Rape, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Violence, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Suicide, Slavery, Outing, Murder, Homophobia, Cursing, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Classism, Child death, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Self harm, Racism, and Misogyny

onemorepagecrew's review

challenging emotional inspiring 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

5.0

I already know this will be one of my favorite books of the year and one I’ll recommend to others.  This debut novel follows two estranged siblings as they process their mother’s death and learn more about her past.  The story weaves between present day and past events in their mother’s life in the Caribbean, London, and California.  We experience multiple points of view, woven together to illustrate the complexities within family relationships.  

I think this is the part that made the book so deep and meaningful for me.  I tend to fall hard for books that look at family lineage, grown children seeing their parents as full people for the first time, and the quiet build of empathy that happens when characters realize other’s experiences were not the same as their own.  Working through defensive mechanisms and beginning to share openly, while listening without judgement, is one of my favorite character evolutions.  

As these siblings work their way towards empathy and understanding, both for each other and for their mother, the reader gets to hear the story of their family unfold along the way.  Parts are heartbreaking, parts are beautiful, though mostly there is love and resilience.  I truly loved this novel. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Death of parent, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Self harm