Reviews tagging 'Incest'

Affamata by Melissa Broder

52 reviews

hdkw's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder and Sexual content

Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Homophobia

Minor: Incest, Antisemitism, and Lesbophobia

mbelle97's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Incest

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Incest, and Sexual content

Moderate: Racism, Excrement, Vomit, Colonisation, and War

Minor: Antisemitism

One character is literally in the IDF. I do not trust that this will ultimately be framed as a bad thing.

hgullegrogan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

I started reading this book before I knew anything about it, because I put my trust in the StoryGraph AI (I still do by the way). Given this, I was very quickly put off with the content of this book. Maybe 50 pages into the book, Rachel has a sexual fantasy about her coworker. Sure, I get it. BUT, her fantasy is that her coworker is actually her mother, and she's having SEX with her. I did not sign up for incest fantasies. A check of the book's summary hints that sexual desire will be addressed, but certainly not in this way.

Unfortunately, the book contains multiple shocking sexual fantasies. It's clear that the author is trying to symbolize Rachel's various dysfunctional personal relationships in this way, but I don't believe it to be effective.

As off-putting as these sexual moments are, I'm most irritated by the laundry list of mental illnesses the author gave Rachel, without putting the thought and time into portraying them authentically. For instance, Rachel starts out anorexic, but after falling in love, is cured of her eating disorder. Then, Rachel struggles with her Jewish and Sexual identities, both of which are hinted at but never discussed in a meaningful way.

In addition to all this, Rachel is a sexual predator. She forces herself onto Miriam, disregards her boundaries, and masterbates in a PUBLIC gym right next to a stranger! So gross. Despite these abhorring behaviors, it is clear that MB considers Rachel a relatable, lovable character.

I feel that if MB chose one topic to delve into, her story could have been much better and far more meaningful. The stark honesty and casual writing style are completely up my alley, which is why the AI's recommendation of this book is understandable to me. And, I will continue to trust the AI suggestions.

Ultimately, I read this book quickly, because I was drawn into the shock of the story, but I would not recommend it, because it encourages harmful behaviors and provides no meaningful discourse on any of them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Incest, and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual assault and Xenophobia

katielouisep's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Incest, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia

aboyer's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Eating disorder, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Incest, and Sexual content

Reference to Israel/Palestine conflict, Zionism

safpearl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

this book made me want to kms

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Incest

gerdalnrmj's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

What an odd book. But well worth the read. Took me on an emotional rollercoaster,  some of the behaviours were painfully recognisable. Rachel’s story is interesting and the thoughts, dreams and actions made her into a real person, someone who I can envision so realistically 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment

Moderate: Fatphobia and Incest

beynotce's review against another edition

challenging funny fast-paced

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

3.5

rip sigmund freud, i know you would have loved this book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder and Sexual content

Minor: Incest

lauraspeechly's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder and Fatphobia

Moderate: Incest