Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Under the Udala Trees by Chinelo Okparanta

6 reviews

gigireadswithkiki's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative fast-paced

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

3.25

I really enjoyed that this was a book that highlighted the interplay between religious bigotry and the LGBTQ community in a non-Western society. Ijeoma was a fantastic and relatable character, constantly torn between staying true to herself and the influences of her religious-propaganda-filled upbringing. 

I wish this book had focused a little more on the Nigerian Civil War, a event in history that was very new to me, but I also understand that this book told the story of the war from the lens of a girl who was growing up in the midst of its events. My only big complaint is that her mother

never faced any consequences for being a religious bigot and all-round awful person. Plus that Ijeoma never really reflects on her internalized homophobia as a result of her religious upbringing

 

Otherwise, I found Chinelo Okparanta's writing style easy to follow, and the story was captivating enough to propel me through the book. For those looking to read this book, I will warn that there are several unsavory topics discussed within and I would check out the content warnings prior to reading!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

Minor: Violence, War, and Death of parent

toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.5

I was blown away by this book - in good ways and in devastating ways. I had to put this down for days at a time to recover from what I was reading. It was beautiful writing, but often too sad for me to read too much of it in one sitting. The story is told from Ijeoma's POV, and her voice is so strong throughout the book that it was almost like I could hear her voice in my head as clearly as if I were listening to someone tell me a story right in front of me. The themes found throughout were powerful, and the use of nigerian folktales within the narrative was such a wonderful touch.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Child death, Child abuse, Gore, Suicide, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, War, Murder, Grief, Rape, Body horror, Hate crime, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Child death, Classism, and Infidelity

Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia, Excrement, and Vomit

mbichaela's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

ENG
exquisite writing, powerful story and i've learned about nigerian civil war. this book is also special to me because i have annotated it for my friend for her birthday (hopefully she will like it as much as i did).

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, and Homophobia

Moderate: Death and Child abuse

gm_vak's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War

fruya's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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? No

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexism, Vomit, and Grief

Moderate: Ableism, Death, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, and Medical content

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, and Child abuse

hannahmayreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was slow going, but ultimately it’s a tender story that gradually unwinds and reveals itself to the reader. The tenderness in the telling is a stark contrast to the heaviness of the topic. Religion, and what it means to have faith and be governed by it, lays heavily over the book.

I actually saw a review lamenting the number of bible verses included in the book. The reader didn’t finish the book because of it, and that is their loss as it is a beautiful and hopeful story. And the bible verses are there for a reason - Nigeria is the second most religious country in the world (https://www.gallup-international.bg/e...). Religion is inescapable, so of course, it is a central tenet of the book.

The most important thing though comes on the last page (this isn’t a spoiler, in case you were wondering). It is a reminder that while this book may be set in the 70s and 80s, same-sex relationships (or even just supporting such relationships) are a criminal offence in Nigeria. You can be imprisoned because of who you love, and that is an atrocity.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, and Misogyny