Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

22 reviews

queencleo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This novel contains the single most horrifying sequence I have read in a decade. All of the stars are for that scene alone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Abandonment

Minor: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

aruktai's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

It's almost frightening that I'm reading this at a time where it isn't impossible for a future in the far off to happen along these lines. Like The Handmaid's Tale, it expands from a long time persisting issue, pushing human morals and creating a solution for the issue, which is ridding the world of abortion but also of unruly, unwanted children.

Schusterman has this way of writing which makes it difficult to put down. The chapters and done bite size, leaving you reading more and more before you finally discover you're at the end. These kids are people you could have, will have and may well know in the future - if society took a wrong turn then it could become a horror reality like what Schusterman has created.

The one scene of unwinding has definitely made me think. It's always been a tiny thought that comes out now and then, what makes a human alive, but the scene will stick with me.

The ending wasn't too great, but it has opened the story up for the sequels, which I'll have to read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Medical content

Minor: Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment

emily_am's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

beware of chaper 61 and the bathroom scene.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War

I strongly advise to NOT read this book if you feel strongly like the content warnings will disturb you. If the disturbing feeling is what you're looking for, this is an amazing, eye opening book.

kissfist's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense 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

Unwind is a dynamic and fantastic novel that reminds us that dystopia is not about hypothetical future horrors, but funhouse mirrors that eerily resemble our lived realities.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

secretofmusing's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? No

4.5

I have thoughts but like I don’t know how to word them. I’ll maybe be back to update, maybe not.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

This book takes the debate of life to the extreme. Read with caution.

racheldonna14's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I read this book in 2010 and decided to reread and see if it was as good as I remember. It was better, and the themes ring loudly post Roe.
The characters start as 2D characters of a troubled teen, ward of the state, and religious tithe which allows the world to be the main character for a while. The world of this book feels familiar (because its mostly Ohio and Arizona) but the rules are different and it takes the reader on a journey to see what the USA has become post Second World War. Once the world is concretely established, the characters, and their relationships between one other, begin to blossom and become complex and whole. Each of their motivations and desires are unique leaving no room for confusion as to why they make the choices that they make even if the choice is wrong. The story is gut-wrenching and visceral from beginning to end.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Pregnancy

sassolinosassoletto's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Trafficking, and Medical trauma

heathermarie08's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-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? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. At times, it is heartbreaking and others it is hopeful and inspiring. Ending is satisfying! Well thought out and written. Will definitely read the rest of the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Medical content, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Forced institutionalization

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

besotted's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Medical content

Moderate: Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Abortion, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

veraamber's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Child abuse, Abortion, and Abandonment

Minor: Self harm and Mass/school shootings