Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Die Mütter by Brit Bennett

75 reviews

devmerc's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Child abuse and Rape

emipps's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

3.75

This was a fairly easy and compelling read. The story would unfold with one characters point of view and seamlessly flow into another’s. There are resolutions the reader is still waiting on in the end, but not frustratingly so. There are a lot of heavy topics throughout so check those if you’re affected by the content warnings.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Abortion

Minor: Alcohol

kiarra_s's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.0

Reading this book felt like watching a stage play. The story is told from an interesting third-person pov. I appreciated how it was written though, especially with hard themes (suicide, abortion).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Abortion, and Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Grief

Minor: Infertility and Rape

charliebe's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual violence, Abortion, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicide attempt

anh_off's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Abortion

sarahrob's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense slow-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

4.25

It took me a few sittings to get into Mothers, but once I did I was caught. The narration style was a bit frustrating in the opening chapters, I found it difficult to follow timeline and characters, however, grew to appreciate this voice as the book progressed. 

This book is a thoughtful reflection on motherhood and mothering. Readers ache for the women in this story; Aubrey and her longing to become a mother and for Nadia and her decision to not. We see each character “mother” in her own way, from Mo protecting Aubrey, to Nadia eventually caring for her father. I found this to be a beautiful representation of mother as a verb and not simply a noun. That mothers hold families and communities alike together by both protecting them, and loving them. 

The relationship these two women form is as tragic and it is beautiful. I loved the friendship while knowing that it would be torn apart. 

We are hurt along with Aubrey when Luke and Nadia betray her, but also completely understand their need to explore the way they are interconnected.

As an agnostic, I sometimes found I had a hard time understanding the weight of some characters actions, but tried to understand them within the community of the Upper Room and their deep faith. But, in the same vein I really enjoyed reading a book that demonstrated a church community. As this is not a space I occupy, I found it enjoyable to peek inside and see the way they support each other, but also the insidious nature of secrets and gossip, and how The Mothers bring down the one thing they love most, Upper Room, because of this. 

Overall I found this story to be thoughtful and engaging. It has me contemplating motherhood, relationships and race all at the same time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, and Abortion

rachelfayreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infertility, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

lwl000's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.0

As a big fan of The Vanishing Half, I expected great things from this one too. I love Bennett’s writing and the beautiful, poetic statements she sprinkles through this novel. Unfortunately, for me, the storyline and the characters just fell flat. I found the characters stale and without much depth; most of all (and this is odd since I usually love some moody/sad characters) they were just all so dang wan and depressing. I didn’t see any character development or growth here, and I felt we ended up right where we started: with judgement from others and guilt/regret around certain life decisions.

I found the treatment of the themes of abortion and sex/infidelity, through the lens of righteousness/piety of a church community, to also be tiresome and unoriginal.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Rape, Suicide, Grief, Abortion, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcohol

nokchimbird's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Abortion

lillypowell's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• 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: Suicide and Death of parent

Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Minor: Cursing and Infertility