Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Heroes and Villains by Angela Carter

4 reviews

laurarosessupposes's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.0

In Carter's 'Bloody Chamber', I felt that she balanced narrative and metaphor perfectly to create a compelling series of short stories, hiding layer upon layer of more complex, psychoanalytical meaning.

Here, I found that the narrative simply did not deliver. This is not to say that this is a badly written novella as, once again, Carter has demonstrated strong writing skills in her use of allusion (for instance, to Shakespeare's 'The Tempest') and psychoanalytical metaphors (which explore concepts of gender and duality).

Whilst some may revel in the dream-like (more like nightmarish!) tale and find meaning alone to be enough, I found it to drag (despite the short length). This is mainly due to a lack of connection with utterly unpleasant and intolerable characters as well as a nonsensical (although, as previously mentioned, highly metaphorical) plot in which character motivations are inconsistent as well as repulsive. 

Once again, I do understand WHY Carter decided to write in this way as it contributes to the metaphorical depth but that alone does not make this an enjoyable read. In fact, the multitude of rape scenes and excessively hateful attitudes of characters (but without the written word communicating tension or horror in these moments) make this a thoroughly unpleasant book to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

irisirae's review

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

She said to Jewel: "You are so beautiful, I think you must be true."
"That's a fallacy."

Angela Carter: *writes Jewel*
Everyone: Go to horny jail

   

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

chipsoline's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

qingyibenshu's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-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

2.5

The writing is vivid and sometimes very beauitful; the plot and characters, though, are reprehensible.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder