Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Toda a Gente Nesta Sala um Dia Há de Morrer by Emily Austin

4 reviews

maeverose's review against another edition

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This is a book I really should’ve dnfed for the sake of my mental health but for some stupid reason kept reading.

The main character, Gilda, is very mentally I’ll. Some parts of this book are really intense, and if you struggle with death ocd, anxiety, hypochondria, suicidal thoughts or alcoholism I’d be cautious about reading this. Gilda’s panic attacks are described in detail, and they’re very frequent. She also has a full on mental breakdown by the end of the book that is also described in detail and drawn out for a while. It isn’t explicitly stated at any point but she is clearly autistic/audhd coded, and it seems as if she is undiagnosed in the story, she questions why she is the way she is, and definitely doesn’t seem to be aware that she’s autistic. It was difficult reading her experiences, clearly seeing that she’s autistic but with her not knowing and struggling. It was relatable at times, but in an upsetting way more than a nice way. For me, at least. I can see how some readers would enjoy this and feel seen in the main character.

Funnily, like Gilda I feel other people’s emotions pretty strongly, so reading a book like this was probably a bad idea for me. I have similar anxiety and this was triggering for me. I nearly dnfed this several times because of it, and tbh I probably should’ve as it ended up just putting me in a bad mood. I kept reading because I really enjoyed the first half, it was still intense but in a more lighthearted dark humor kind of way (it reminded me of fleabag), but the second half is much more depressing and upsetting.

This book is a very accurate representation of ocd, anxiety, undiagnosed autism and mental illness. If you want that and can handle it, I’d recommend it, just please check content warnings first.

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rieviolet's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny 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

3.5

The book started off really strong but, as I went on reading, it lost me a bit. Maybe it's because we are firmly into the main character's headspace and I felt like it became a bit repetitive. Also, the final section 
with the police investigation and Gilda's questioning and brief detention
felt to me a bit over-the-top, it went on and on and then was solved in the blink of an eye. The ending itself wasn't so bad 
I admit that I teared up a bit when Gilda's left those voicemail messages
but it was still quite abrupt and an awful lot was left unaddressed. 

I appreciated the hard-hitting representation of mental illness, just make sure to check the content warnings and look after your own mental well-being.  
I also quite liked the humour and, as a raised-Catholic-turned-atheist, I cackled many times whenever Gilda pondered over bizarre Catholic rituals.

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skudiklier's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced
  • 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

5.0

Okay I'm actually obsessed with this book. Wow.

I have anxiety and I related to Gilda a lot while reading it (though she struggles with it way more than I do, and I have a much easier time asking for help). I loved the way this was written, in genuinely every way that could be interpreted. I'm amazed by how relatable and funny this was while also being so dark and existential. I was so drawn in and cared so much about what was going to happen to everyone involved.

Honestly I have absolutely zero complaints about this book. I mean...I wish maybe we'd gotten a glimpse of Eli at the end to see what happened there? But I understand why the author may have wanted to leave some things open-ended, and I'm satisfied with what we did get to see at the end. I can't recommend this book enough.

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verysillygoose's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad fast-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

4.75


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