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louberry360's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
nie_fertig's review against another edition
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
sighapple's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The eponymous house is large: it boasts three courtyards and a Chiléan version of the Addams Family.
A mainstay of magical realism is that characters are expected to be beautifully realised, and Allende doesn't disappoint.
Strong female roles abound in this captivating story, from Rosa (who has the maritime grace of a mermaid), to Clara the soothsayer (whose apocalyptic visions include exploding horses and cows that are hurled into the sea), and Tránsito Soto (the entrepreneurial prostitute who symbolises success in the face of adversity).
The books lead goes to reluctant altruist, Esteban Trueba, whose expectations of grandeur befit his pedigree, but not his habitude.
Trueba, wishing to mine for gold, takes control of a lawless chunk of godforsaken land.
Despite improving the social conditions of the peasants under his patronage, he becomes the most hated and feared scumbag in the entire region.
When done with kicking hens, throwing tantrums and raping village girls, he expects his subordinates to show him some gratitude. Seriously, what a complete arse!
This book stayed in my mind for months afterward. Stormy, dramatic and beautifully written!
Moderate: Sexual violence
lady_epoh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Medical content
kapsygabby's review against another edition
3.75
There is a reason I don’t usually read this genre though and struggled with this book: because of the real life situations and terrors (see the list of content warnings) that are very real on this planet. I don’t mind being educated about the world with nonfiction books because you are able to stand at a safe distance. I don’t enjoy it when it enters fiction and especially when you’re inside the head of these terrible people. Feeling what they feel and thinking what they think. It makes my skin crawl.
Without any specific spoilers but clear content expectations: let me just say very early in the book we are introduced to a character and see the world through his eyes as he objectifies and brutally rapes prepubescent girls. This is a main character we have to continue to see through the book and (of course) there is no apology or remorse for the way he dehumanized others. These actions are key to the plot but I had a very hard time getting through this. It did not need to be so explicit and detailing of his thoughts. Plenty of other disturbing events were shared with less detail and still held the proper weight to story. I loathe how, even this day, men around the world continue to do this exact same or worse and continue to not change their way of thinking and seeing women as things. There is no catharsis or justice. Life just goes on and I can’t stand it.
There are many amazing characters, particularly women characters in this book. Do not get me wrong. But I will continue to be sick to my stomach when I think of this book and this character - who I can never think of as “a product of his time” since I know men continue to abuse power in exactly the same way to this day.
Graphic: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Torture, and War
lovetlr's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
franzys_whip's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Murder, Lesbophobia, and War
kubs's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, War, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Chronic illness and Car accident
crumpledjuicebox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Minor: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Blood
kayaelena's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation