Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

88 reviews

mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Sexual content

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Dementia

Minor: Abortion

davidbythebay's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Greg (Supposedly Fun on BookTube & Instagram) was absolutely right: this is an amazing short story collection! I shy away from short story collections because I never feel they are or of similar caliber to each other usually. Here, however, Philyaw has created an entire universe of Black women who are strong, unapologetically powerful, and asserting how they wish to live their lives. From queer/lesbian or heterosexual perspectives, these nine short stories cover a wide ground of topic areas and perspectives. And I'm living for it all! Absolutely amazing! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

tina94's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Minor: Abortion and Fire/Fire injury

dementia

libraryghost's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Abortion

megj23's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• 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

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

Minor: Addiction and Homophobia

thisreadingcorner's review against another edition

emotional funny tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Infidelity, and Religious bigotry

dalmavatai's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

Ahh this short story collection was so impactful and gripping, I loved every single second of it!

All of the stories in here deal with desire, pain, grief, love, family, and Christianity, and all of them do it brilliantly and beautifully. All of the characters are vivid and relatable - they are not without their flaws, in fact these flaws are often prominent in the stories, but they are portrayed with such compassion and humanity that you can't help but feel for them. Every story is unique but what unites them all is their exploration of how Black women navigate desire and pain, love and grief, often simultaneously. 

Such a beautiful collection full of humanity, exploring the universally human desire to be loved. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent

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

Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Racism, and Abortion

emliza's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Dementia, and Lesbophobia

jeanniea's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

Amazing writing and storytelling. Each short story told so much about the characters and their relationships and life stories. Great reads.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Cursing and Infidelity

Minor: Cancer, Death, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

michmoo's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Murder