Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

35 reviews

pollyflorence's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Death of parent

shieldbearer's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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

5.0

Every story was so well crafted with nuanced characters.  Highly recommended. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Dementia, Grief, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Cancer, Child death, and Car accident

anspringel's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

When I read the title I didn’t expect to love the book as I do now. Words can’t describe the enjoyment I felt while reading this and still feel. I don’t usually re-read books but I know for a fact I’ll be coming back to this one. The way each story is written in a different style and pov screams the brilliance of the author. In each story you’re introduced to a cast of characters with different backgrounds and issues in different generations, and as I mentioned earlier a different story telling style which means there is one for everyone to love. I just can’t suggest this book enough.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Death of parent

Minor: Murder

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! 

---

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

---

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

kayschwe's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Abortion

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. 

---

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

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

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

Minor: Murder

jesseybean's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, Dementia, Grief, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

francestea's review against another edition

dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

A nice mix of stories allowing the reader in on little slices of each characters life. Peach Cobbler, one of the longer stories, was really visceral (and had me craving peaches). Eula, was another story that really stood out for me, about two friends romantically involved (although one is completely in denial of their situation). The characters feel very real, regular people with hardships, joys, desires, and failings. A quick and enjoyable read I’d recommend especially for someone new to short stories. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator as well! 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, and Murder