Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

36 reviews

laurareads87's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

<i>Freshwater</i> is a novel that I didn't read when it first came out mostly due to the content warnings, and they are warranted - this is a difficult read.  However, I'm so glad that I did read it -- it is incredibly well written, deeply affecting, innovative, and captivating -- magical realism at its absolute best.  Beyond being an incredible story, <i>Freshwater</i> is a reflection on identity, selfhood, and spirit that is unlike anything I've ever read before.  Incredible debut -- I very much look forward to reading Emezi's work.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Car accident, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Transphobia

pn__'s review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

arwa's review

dark emotional

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Car accident, and Suicide attempt

ashleycmms's review

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, and Medical content

Minor: Eating disorder

hmknerr's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

poursandpages's review

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Freshwater is Akwaeke Emezi’s first novel, which is mind-blowing in & of itself. Their writing is genre-bending, captivating, haunting, gut-wrenching, & ethereal, all at the same time.

The book explores the world of the Ada, a girl from Nigeria who has spirits living inside her mind. You feel every ounce of pain she feels. You bend & break with her, even if you’ve never felt anything like what she’s experiencing.

It’s a hard & triggering read for a LOT of people - a lot goes on in this short little novel. Tread carefully, but don’t let it stop you from reading it (if you can).

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts