Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

10 reviews

julleah's review against another edition

This book is super depressing and treats child abuse (physical and emotional) and manipulation like a normal everyday thing. It also has a weird relationship between an adult and minor that isn’t romantic but is strange and unhealthy. I wouldn’t recommend this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Classism, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, Child abuse, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Confinement, and Grief

ayphyx's review against another edition

slow-paced

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

2.75

This book fucking sucked. It’s boring, Pip is a bland character, the only good thing  is Estella Havisham who is the best character in the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

mmefish's review against another edition

What a bore. Pathetic "love" of the main character towards Estella (based on nothing but her looks and coldness) that I could not care less about, unfortunately, becomes the main focus of the story. The beginning was somehow entertaining but it absolutely lost me after part I.

P.S. oh my god, Biddy gets

married to JOE?! 🤮🤮🤮 And they have children 🤢

Repulsive.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse

Minor: Antisemitism

samantha_2023's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

bookerino's review

dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

This was a lot funnier than I was expecting it to be. Some people find it to be depressing, but I did not. I really appreciate the self awareness the main character has of his traumatic past and how it affects his current state of mind. But it's always said in a humorous tone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Kidnapping and Classism

Minor: Mental illness

benblackwell's review against another edition

challenging mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism

Minor: Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Child abuse

dumaurier's review

slow-paced

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

3.5

Started out strong, but started losing me after the first part. I adore Pip, Havisham, and Estella, but as soon as they weren’t the focus, I lost interest. Will check out more Dickens, though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

spasqual's review against another edition

adventurous challenging slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Child death

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

When I decided to read this, I was skeptical. It's a little intimidating to pick up a 575 page whopper, especially a classic, because I was expecting purple prose and a tedious plot. But those judgements were completely wrong! I loved this book so much!

Every character that is introduced is, in some form or fashion, integral to the plot. Even the ones that aren't named (such as Trabb's boy and Aged Parent). All of the characters have flaws and virtues, and there is great contrast between the characters who embrace change and those who resist it. I also liked that every character's arc was tied up by the end of the novel.

I was also surprised to see that Dickens was class conscious and interested in social justice reform! I, again, expected that a nearly 200 year old book would be so sympathetic to less fortunate memeber of society. In addition, I appreciated that there was a conversation about how education, elocution, and fashion all play a role in society's treatment and expectations of a person. It was a pleasant surprise to connect so much with Dickens' social/political views!

In addition to these comparisons of characters individually, it was enjoyable to see how these differences play out when characters are in the same scene together, as well as how each setting affected the way a character felt and acted.

My other favorite aspect was that the main male characters were portrayed as being both emotionally vulnerable and incredibly loving of their friends and family. Male characters having close friendships, male characters being allowed to cry, male characters being allowed to nurse a friend back to health, and male characters being allowed to show love and affection was so refreshing! I can't think of a single contemporary book, show, or movie I've seen recently that portrays that. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, and Violence

ruthbeadle's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.5

I actually really enjoyed reading this! It is my first Dickens novel, and I adored the storytelling and Pip's narration throughout. These novels that are almost slice of life, but obviously have bigger themes and topics to tackle are some of my favorites. I thought that this was easy to get into if you haven't read any of Dickens' other stuff. I think the only thing holding me back is that the last chapter was definitely not my favorite. Everything else is great though, so I highly recommend!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent