Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Animal by Lisa Taddeo

150 reviews

matlock's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging 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? Yes

2.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

justine014's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional 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

3.5

Really not sure how I feel about this. Enjoyed the prose a lot, though it veered into overly long descriptions at times. Appreciated many of the observations about sex and gender dynamics, though some of Joan’s perspectives on both felt a bit dated, as if her character missed the last 15 years of feminist discourse, and I can’t tell if that was intentional due to her circumstances and also because she’s a bit older?? It also bothered me that characters would often not speak like normal people but instead went on long, incredibly polished monologues which did not feel realistic. Then again, I love Mike Flanagan’s TV shows and those do the same thing so idk why it bothered me here. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wildflower030's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional tense slow-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

1.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hanltosh's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ev23's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

3.0

taddeo’s prose is beautiful and punchy but this story was so disjointed to me and definitely lagged in some parts. i think a lot of it read as kind of trauma porn almost ? definitely check the TWs. i guess i understand the hype around this book but it just did not land for me. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jesssicawho's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

Sheesh. That was an emotionally exhausting book. The writing is brilliant, every single word feels intentional. There were so many sentences or paragraphs I highlighted as powerful insights. The story, however, is brutal. Uncomfortable, painful, infuriating. I am glad I read this so I can say I’ve experienced Taddeo’s prose but I’m not in a rush to read anything else from her. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

flowerwineandbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional 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

Unhinged characters, so much female rage, stream of consciousness. Best read in a short space of time. Incredibly challenging with poignant lines. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mwilddabbles's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

arog513's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-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

2.0

“I am depraved. I hope you like me”. Joan, I do not like you. Not one bit. I need to take a shower after reading this. And maybe smoke a cigarette. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

chelseyanderson's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.25

Expand filter menu Content Warnings