Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

20 reviews

foldingthepage_kayleigh's review

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This was a tense gothic tale that really dug into power dynamics in relationships, the dehumanization of women, and the horrors of disempowerment. It also showed the lack of autonomy that is often pushed upon pregnant people, as if your body is no longer your own, and the world is invited in to control you. Overall, I’m very glad to have read this book, an interesting social commentary with the tense gothic horror that makes you want to keep turning the page. And Mia Farrow as the narrator was excellent and added to the vintage vibes of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

mockingjayx16's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Homophobia and Racial slurs

automatic_rae's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

An interesting concept, but not my cup of tea.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide

stephanieanneauthor's review

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Believe it or not, I haven't seen the movie yet (but it is on my list). But movie or no movie, I had to give the book a try as I'm a fan of Levin's writing style. I will note that the sound quality of the audiobook is less than stellar, but other than that this book is phenomenal. 

As someone who's lived through it, I love stories that involve gaslighting as it adds to the tension and discomfort. And I wanted to scream at some of the obstacles Rosemary encountered. In those early chapters, I wasn't too sure how I would feel about her, but I came to love her character arc. I've also noticed recently that I tend to be more drawn to domestic horror stories. There's something delightfully unsettling about home life gone wrong, and situations that should be safe and comforting, but are not. 

Can't wait to watch the movie now!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Blood

Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Abortion

amanda_flynn's review

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting

vbarsi's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy

Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

smolhandsdan's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment

amberinbookland's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Homophobia

carlytenille's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

marageorge's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting