Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame

4 reviews

jainabee's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• 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

Not an easy or light read, yet strangely beautiful and even darkly hilarious in places. The final twist—knowing that the characters were very fictionalized versions of her family— seemed like a vicious cackle to all that had ever tormented the author. It feels like an exorcism and a victory dance!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Medical content, Dementia, and Alcohol

Minor: Terminal illness and Death of parent

Inspired by Janet Frame's family and her experiences in mental institutions. Not factual, but very accurate emotionally.

emi_b_12's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Medical content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Misogyny

nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious 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

4.0

interesting back and forth between different family perspectives and stream-of-consciousness narration. brutal in its inspection of mental illness and institutionalization. truly funny at times! someone else in my life please read this so we can discuss!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury

waybeyondblue's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Child death, Racial slurs, and Medical trauma