Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

49 reviews

jamiejanae_6's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

cptnstphy's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

The Vanishing Half was an interesting and nuanced exploration of racism/internalized racism, family ties (whether embraced or resisted), and distinguishing oneself from one's family. I enjoyed the multi-generational approach (Jude was my favourite character) and its adventurous qualities.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism

avacate9's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative reflective medium-paced

• 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Dementia, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Classism

itsheyfay's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Outing, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

suzannah's review against another edition

emotional informative medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Classism

hardy314's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

5.0

A challenging book about family, race, identity, and sacrifices. A fantastic read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment

delphine_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Mental illness and Dementia

Minor: Sexual assault and Transphobia

kate_lemer's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

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

2.25

The premise of the book is interesting. Though the summary is a bit misleading. It does not feel like anybody is the main character of this book, or rather, nobody is the main character of this book. As a reader, you are plunged inside the plot, and told to swim. Unfortunately, you keep on threading water up until the last page. 

It is possible that after reading so many (for me) bad contemporary books, I've become biased against them. But it does appear like I've treaded into an ocean of mediocre literature. I can't say the book is entirely bad. There are flashes of feeling, interesting remarks or thoughts of characters. Metaphores and red strings that lead you through the entire story, which only realise in hindsight. However, it feels like the author is trying to build a diverse narrative, tick all the boxes so to say. But in doing so, everything ends up so overwhelmingly underdeveloped. Just as you start hoping that it will go somewhere, the author decides to introduce yet another character. It is rushed - feels like an underbaked cake: the ingredients are there, but the cook did not how to bake it properly...

The most interesting parts are probably from Jude's perspective, especially those in the beginning. The way she intentionally blanks her father's abuse of her mother, how she blames her mother for certain aspects of it - it introduces the rationale in a very believable way. She is angry she's in a place where everybody hates her, she misses her father, and her mother keeps lying to her. She keeps clinging to a phantasy, because it's better than real life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Misogyny

Minor: Dysphoria

laurendenton's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Medical content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Dementia, Grief, and Murder

Minor: Cursing, Stalking, Abandonment, and Alcohol

marissasa's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This multi-generational family book is unique and engaging, and unlike any story I've read before. The concept of identical twins splitting off and living vastly different lives that are complete opposites of each other, and their choices impacting the lives of their daughters in deep ways, is so fascinating on its own and Brit Bennett pulled it off in writing effortlessly and beautifully. Every character felt so fleshed out, flawed, and real, from the main family members to their partners and the side characters supporting them along the way. It was satisfying to read diverse and intersectional issues these characters went through being handled in such a well thought out way, and the author's writing really elevated her story with colorful language and noticeable but skillful use of literary devices. I was engaged throughout and found myself reading faster at times because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I loved the idea she put forward that there comes a point when you have been lying for so long that it becomes true for yourself because it is the reality you've chosen to live and believe. Once this story's television adaptation is ready I will be watching it the day it comes out! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail