Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

71 reviews

evawondergem's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder

greta_bbunyi's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

A wonderful and thought-provoking exploration of the concept of Honor in the eyes of the characters, who hail from vastly different backgrounds (race, gender, religion, caste). And more than showing how these characters define the word, you also get to rethink and realize how much value their “honor” truly has. 

Just shy of 5 stars for me because of the use of a lot of highfalutin words that I found unnecessary and unrealistic, especially in conversations. But that’s just a personal preference and I don’t think it took away from the important aspects of the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Sexual assault and Death of parent

laurataylor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

prinzessin_aj's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

thefluffyowl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Couldn’t put this one down, breathtaking and powerful…read with tissues 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

jaelynna's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

I’m almost speechless after this book. Thrity Umrigar beautifully captured the story of Meena and those who fought to help and bring her justice. To restore honor to her life. This is 100% in my top 5 books of all time — the emotions it brought are hard to shake. 

I naively believed this book to take on the “privileged savior” approached and was gut wrenched at the reality of this story - Meena was doomed from the start all because she loved.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Islamophobia, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

beccastayton's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, and Murder

sushmita_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-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

4.0

Despite its dark subject matter (gender violence), I found it very difficult to put down. I found the characters flawed but well-written and engaging, the plot moved at a reasonable pace. The whole story felt deeply human. And being part of the Indian diaspora, I related to parts of the main character. The feeling of being responsible for India's struggles, relief and gratitude for being brought up in the Global North and grief at what culture I've lost. 

Like others, I was a bit confused by Smita's choice to stay in India. Considering how much trauma she'd suffered and seen. But I think a) she decided to extend her stay by 3 months not forever and b) it wasn't just Mohan but also the promise she made to Meena. I know it's fiction but would've been nice to see at least a convo or two about Abru's future. Consistency and routine is so important, the child's life felt like a plot point rather than an important consideration. The trauma of uprooting her or abandoning her after forming a bond etc.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Islamophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide attempt

Minor: Body shaming

jess_michiko's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-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? N/A

5.0

A whirlwind of emotions reflections on loving a country with hurtful politics. Truly unforgettable story that brings you compassion.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual assault and Medical content

Minor: Animal cruelty

smoxen's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

3.0

This book is undeniably well written. It’s important and a stark reminder of the horrors that still happen in the world because of intolerance, hate, and a misguided sense of pride/honor. But it was hard to read. At least one part made my cry and I had to put it away for several days about 75% of the way through it because I needed a break from it, both of which are out of the norm for me. The ending was hopeful, but it fell a little flat to me. Was that hope earned? Maybe. I’m not sure why this novel affected me so strongly but it did.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Islamophobia, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Misogyny

Minor: Sexual assault