Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Despereaux / The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

18 reviews

meshell's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

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

This book feels like a classic. It has the style of a book I would have read as a young person, that perhaps my parents would have passed on to me 30 years ago. It was generally fun to read-aloud, and me and my 6 year old enjoyed it, but it was not without faults. 

The usual trope of the "bad" being tied to fat and/or stupid that seems consistent in many children's books was present. There was definite ableism, and the repeated and casual child abuse was not my favourite to have to describe or explain. There was some on the go editing while I was reading. 

I did really like the way the authour didn't finish the story off with everyone being just good, or just bad, so there was a bit more nuance than a more traditional classic story.

I think the general lesson on being forgiving was nice, and there are a bunch of great vocabulary building words.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, Slavery, Death of parent, and Abandonment

jenigmatic's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment

alyssapusateri's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-paced

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

2.0

this is cringe, and the miraculous journey of edward tulane is superior in every way

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Fatphobia

kirsto's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

cannot believe this DEPRESSING book is meant for children

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death of parent

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Confinement, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Animal death, and Classism

chaotically_katie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Death of parent

najiii's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad fast-paced

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

2.5

It was a very nostalgic read for me and I know I used to absolutely love this book as a kid but rereading it now was a bit of a shock. I was not expecting the nonchalant manner in which certain topics are brought up and not addressed

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Animal death, Physical abuse, Grief, and Classism

turtledoingyogagmailcom's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Very cute book, almost a mix between The Bee Movie and Ratatouille. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Death of parent