Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian

5 reviews

readwithharry's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This is a book that I SOBBED over for days. 

One of my favourites, Goodnight, Mr Tom is *so* poignant and emotional, and deals with some very heavy themes. Actually, I was a little surprised to learn that it was written & published (and still remains) a book for children. I’ve read adult fiction that was less traumatic. 

But, that is what makes this book GOLDEN. It addresses the impact of WWII on children in a way that is easy to understand and engage with, but is still sophisticated enough to make my list of favourite literary fiction. 

I have NEVER forgotten this story, partly because Michelle Magorian creates a world that is so real you can almost touch it. 

Utter, beautiful, heartbreaking perfection. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Death

becca9849's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Bullying, Mental illness, Excrement, Vomit, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

astralvirgo25's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Trigger warning: descriptions of physical and psychological abuse, child abuse and negligence. Also references to suicide and mental health.

alaskayoung1734's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful relaxing sad 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: War

Minor: Suicide

cupofbooksreviews's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House who are publishing a special 40th anniversary edition. I have given Goodnight Mister Tom by Michele Magorian five out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have to admit I was surprised that I had never read this book before; this would’ve definitely been a book I would’ve loved when I enjoyed reading Michael Morpurgo. However, I’m so glad I finally picked it up because this book absolutely ruined me and is a new found favourite!

This is an incredibly emotional, touching and hopeful story based around WWII and evacuees. One evacuee in particular, Willie Beech. When we first meet Willie, he’s a frightened and traumatised boy who has been abused and neglected by his mother. That is until he moves to Little Weirwold and meets Tom Oakley, a grumpy man who keeps to himself. As they become acquainted with one another, the friendship, love and happiness that starts to blossom between the two is unmatched. I found myself smiling, tearing up and in awe at this book.

We’re introduced to more evacuated children in the town who also become a special part of Willie’s life and my life too. This book is beautifully written; from the atmospheric descriptions to the accented language in which they speak in Little Weirwold. The best way I can describe Goodnight Mister Tom is with an oxymoron: an uplifting tearjerker.

I definitely want to watch the movie adaptation to Goodnight Mister Tom in the near future as I’ve heard lots of wonderful things about it although I expect I’ll bawl my eyes out more at an adaptation. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Excrement, and Abandonment

Moderate: Antisemitism and War

Minor: Suicide