Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek

9 reviews

marina_claveria's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Blood

lucius_gooseman's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

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

1.75

“[…] You stink, piano teacher, you just can’t imagine how bad you stink.”

Jelinek manages to take a fantastic set of characters and a challenging, thought-provoking plot and make it the most sloggish, pretentious, meandering novel I’ve ever read. Don’t even bother with this, watch the movie instead. And that’s so moronic of me to say, but I’m really beside myself. I am usually appreciative of the qualities of both mediums- The Shining for example is both an amazing book, and film with equal merit in both. Sadly, there is no merit whatsoever to this book, point blank period. The way Jelinek writes seems as if she’s intentionally toying with the reader’s patience, and frankly, I don’t have the time for that. The prose is erosive and grating, very very tough to read. Also- a SHOCKING amount of piss play. No thank you!

PS, never use the word “asparagus” in reference to man’s genitalia. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Rape and Self harm

Minor: Incest and Racism

1ncubus's review against another edition

challenging dark

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

4.5

Very hard read, both language and content wise. A raw depiction of a mentally tortured mind. Very graphic. None of the three characters are likeable, but extremely well written, fleshed out. Jelinek uses methaphors to the extent where you wonder what she is trying to tell you. One of the most challenging yet interesting books I have ever read, watch out for content warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Incest and Stalking

Minor: Sexism, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol

abookishgoth's review

challenging dark slow-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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Minor: Vomit

nualasiobhan333's review

challenging dark reflective sad slow-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

3.75

I was challenged by the translation writing style, but ended up really enjoying it. It took me longer to get through partly because of the writing style, but mostly because of the content. I had seen the movie years ago and was hesitant about reading it. I am happy to have read it, but will likely not be revisiting it in the future. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

qqjj's review

challenging dark slow-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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, and Stalking

Minor: Forced institutionalization

briana_519's review

dark reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

janavs's review

dark funny tense fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence

egorkova's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape