Reviews tagging 'Antisemitism'

The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham

5 reviews

alexashabit's review against another edition

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: Misogyny

Moderate: Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Classism

Minor: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Toxic friendship

vangoghssunflowers's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

Interesting read! As it’s set in the 1900’s, I can’t be too shocked on how women are spoken about. My only wish is that we got to see their inner workings as much as the men. 

I quite liked the duality between Elliot and Larry, I think they were perfect foils. One seeking notoriety through social connections, the other on an altruistic hunt for the meaning of life. The difference between Larry’s life and the aristocrats also had a nice balance. 

Structure wise, I think there were chunks of this novel that dredged on and didn’t add much to the characterization. But alas, that is what 20th century literature will do for you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Antisemitism

enoemo's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Honestly, this was such a fun classic read. It took me a couple pages to fully get into it, but the author did a great job at introducing the characters and reminding the reader of them if they didn't appear for a while - essential for me as someone who tends to forget side characters easily if they're not always in the picture, especially in a book that spans multiple years like this one. This was entertaining, the characters were well developed and I felt for each one of them in a strange way. I also like how the content foreshadows some of the fascinations that were then again picked up by the beat generation. Beware though, as a lot of books from this era, you will find some -isms here and there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism

kejan's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

The book overall is quite challenging to read but allows the reader to be introspective. The characters are significant to the time period and very realistic with both flaws and redeeming features. There are slow parts to the book that sometimes discourage the read, but the final chapter is in a surprising way worth the entire read.
The writing does have tones of sexism, racism and anti-semitism that are sometimes difficult to ignore even when considering the time this book was written in. That is also the reason I deducted a point from my score.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Antisemitism

Minor: Addiction

laurenw's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Body shaming, Child death, Infidelity, Car accident, Murder, and War

Minor: Antisemitism