Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

62 reviews

sunbathingturtle's review

challenging emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I finished this book moments ago and am thankful for its existence. 

Within the confines of a hayloft, Miriam Toews creates a deep ecosystem of life, social webs, shared history, thought, and—most importantly—characters that feel so very real.

I’m in awe of the format and storytelling of this book. Masterful craft.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol

rwinchesterm's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

amy_park's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

3.5

Strong and moving! Not a very long book, but it holds a powerful kick. It took a while for me to get to grips with the many characters and how to differentiate their voices in my mind, but once I had done this it was easier to follow. The narration from a male was an interesting choice, which initially I was hesitant about it as I felt his opinions and backstory were a distraction to the main plot and at parts it did grate on me, but on the whole I think the device was nessecary and realistic for the community. Based on true events this made it an incredibly difficult to read and I would suggest to look at the content warnings before. The questions and conversations had by the women were so very important and made me reflect internally about my own femininity. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Suicide

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

jlye's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This book will stay with me for a long time. Religion is used as a weapon against these women, but also serves as their source of comfort and guidance. I am an atheist, but very much appreciate seeing the world through the lens of these beautifully written characters. My only critique is  having watched the movie right after finishing the book, I prefer the shift to having Autje as the narrator.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Pregnancy

charlottesreadingweb's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

A crushing story of bravery, sisterhood, and solidarity in the face of horrors inflicted upon women by men they trusted. An important meditation on womanhood/girlhood, power, patriarchy, and the weaponization of religion for control. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time, and I look forward to watching the screen adaptation. Please check content warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Incest, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

gmjohnson's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Astonishing read, I felt like I really connected with the characters and sympathised with them all. Toews has compassionately written a complex cast of characters in which each of them have their own unique views on the situation they’re in. I laughed and cried throughout the whole book, but ultimately felt hope for the women as their story grew. Definitely my all time favourite book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Deadnaming, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

bseigel's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

hannahwinston's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I loved the book. Fast read, engaging, teared up a few times. Tommy biggest issue is the narrator is not only unreliable, it’s a man. I understand why it has to be a man, I’m just still annoyed by it.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

cerys_ah's review

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Death of parent

Minor: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Pregnancy

lk3ssaf's review

3.25

The book was short and easy to read. It was sad, and depressing at times, but the author chose a hopeful ending.

We never learn what happens to the women, or how the men at the cult react, and that might be for the best.

I didn't learn that the story was based on real crimes that took place against Mennonite women until after I had read the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment