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daretoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Blood and Dementia
lovestoriesforsuckers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
jordanmueller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
kendallmdk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Miscarriage, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
kathalura's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Animal is a dark story filled with abuse. Do not read this if you're in search of a light-hearted story. Joan is a confessional and shameless narrator. It was jarring and thrilling at the same time to read someone carelessly reveal the ugliest parts of themselves.
Overall, Animal was a slow burn. Throughout the book, Taddeo slowly unravels all of Joan's terrible and predatory encounters with men. While I appreciated that this represented simmering female rage, the pacing felt off to me. I found that the middle of the book seemed endless.
I did love that Animal was an exposé of the nuanced spectrum of male cruelty and violence. I think that Taddeo explored this topic very effectively. However, I did not like that every single thought or conversation in this book was either about men or with men. This book wouldn't pass the Bechdel test - at all. I really wanted Joan to have something else to think about or discuss. I suppose that her obsession with men is indicative of her own particular traumas. But I found the constant talk of men and their ideas of sex/sexiness to be grueling.
Overall, I'll add Animal to my list of dark & thought-provoking books about female rage. But I do not plan to read this again.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Vomit
snoutsiru's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy
mackie5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
savannahhh's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
tegalodon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment