Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Animal by Lisa Taddeo

126 reviews

natthahlyh's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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mcornell's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.0

I have never struggled with rating a book as much as I did this one. There are parts I find incredibly compelling, and I think the commentary on trauma and sex was nuanced in a way that I rarely see. There were multiple lines that were so profound I had to sit with them for a moment before moving on. 

However, I struggled with this book. Joan’s inner monologue went on so many tangents it was hard to remember where we started. She spends the whole book alluding to this singular moment that changed her life, but after graphic descriptions of SA, child SA, and death, it lacked the punch I think Taddeo wanted us to feel. The book was also marketed as a woman’s journey from prey to predator, and I don’t think we got that. 95% of the book is Joan stuck in her incredibly traumatic headspace, and to be blunt, I expected her to murder a lot more men than she did. For how much she talked about it, a rampage was what the book was leading up to. Perhaps her taking control one time was how she could rewrite her narrative, but I don’t think the book sold us on that. It felt unfinished. 

I don’t know if I would recommend this book to people, but I also don’t think I hated it. I mostly mourn what the book could have been. 

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rebeccajost's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

2.5


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lexipassno's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious 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


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aliciawithoutkeys's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense 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

4.5


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chyneyee's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Aside from the trauma and violence encountered by Joan, this book is mostly about sex, men's desires, degrading men in every possible way, and belittling other women, especially her lovers' partners.

The story wasn't that terrible, and I guess I have a rough idea of what kind of message the author wishes to convey through this book. At least it captured my interest to read until the last page of the book. The particular thing I couldn't accept was the confusing writing style. I'm all right that none of the characters is worth being liked. I felt the execution is a failure that steers the readers away from the story.

Book Review: Animal by Lisa Taddeo.

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etbliss's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0


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missbrookss's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0


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1moodreader's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Months later, I still don't know what I read. 

The audiobook narrated by Emma Roberts is just *chefs kiss*.  She did an amazing job, and her voice was perfect for this character. 

The book itself is an exploration of female trauma, rage, and mental illness. I can't say I like Joan, but I don't hate her either. Check CW! 

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charla_t's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.75


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