kellygarsha's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Rape
Minor: Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Animal death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
martasshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
lk3ssaf's review
3.25
Spoiler
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.
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Suicide, Child abuse, Rape, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Death of parent
eekennel's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
evanlyn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Pedophilia
battybookworm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Otherwise, this book was an interesting meditation and tied well with my recent watch of The Wonder (2022) with Florence Pugh. It is a lovely telling of a horrifying truth with plenty of empathy and thought put into the women represented. Finding out the author has her own history with the Mennonite faith placed the story for me a bit. It's not a great novel that arrives at any full conclusion or plot finish, but it does meditate on ideas of faith and power. I don't know how or when I'd recommend this book to anyone, I am glad I read it though, and am enjoying the process of audiobook experimentation it is continuing me on.
Graphic: Rape, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Physical abuse
This book centers around the discussion of multiple real-life assaults and rapes. These rapes are deeply traumatic and disturbing in nature and are discussed in occurrences of many ages that may disturb people. There is also in-depth mention of physical abuse and the drugging procedure that is done.carmel_starr_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
elliethelibrarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment