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armedaphrodite's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
That said, the prose can fall down as well (I still can't believe "grimly glum" got past an editor). The book is also rather dated (1986 pub date) in its handling of mental illness - you can tell that there's a progressive (for the time) mindset around it being a medical issue and not reason itself for recrimination, but some rather heinous actions seem to be written off pretty quickly and the character returned to good graces. It removes agency from the character, and plays to stereotypes at the same time. Frankly, in general, characters move beyond traumatic or harrowing events pretty fast.
The epilogue - honestly, I wanted to bump the entire review up a whole star for the epilogue. It managed to craft a compelling story in such a short amount of time, to develop themes so quickly, and throw in relief the themes of the larger book as a whole. I settled on a half star because, well, why didn't the rest of the book capture me quite so soundly? Anyway, Lois, I realize this book is forty years old and you never saw fit to write about her again, but please give me some more Tersa Boni.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Physical abuse and Rape
Minor: Forced institutionalization
alpw's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Graphic: Confinement, Rape, Torture, and War
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
antropomorficzny's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.75
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
davidsonrachel6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Abortion, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
halt_bullfrog's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, and Classism
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
obviousthings's review against another edition
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Gore, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit, Abortion, and Pregnancy
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
pvbobrien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Alcohol
melissahawco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis