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Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey, Jennie Godfrey
5 reviews
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
5.0
"I reached under the bed for my torch, switched it on and went back to my book. In just a few pages, my mind and body quietened as the words performed their hypnosis. I knew that my favourite character, Georgina - known as George for her tomboy looks and something called 'pluck' - would not be frightened about moving or even about the Yorkshire Ripper. In fact, she would probably summon the rest of the Five to try to catch him.
What if someone caught him? I wondered, as I drifted off to sleep. What if the murders were to stop? And we could stay? Then I would never have to leave Sharon and we could be best friends always."
It's late 1979 in the town of Shipley, West Riding of Yorkshire. Focusing on the life of 11 year old Miv and her best friend Sharon, Aunty Jean, haulage manager Dad, unwell Mum and neighbours, widow Mr Bashir and son Ishtiaq, Arthur and many more. All the adults talk about is the Yorkshire Ripper, who is yet to be caught, so Miv decides she and Sharon will investigate, creating her List Of Suspicious Things.
Reminding me of The Trouble With Goats and Sheep and A Terrible Kindness, this is a nostalgic and heartwarming, coming of age tale. I adored Miv, finding her way, noticing suspicious men in her life (of which there were many!) and going to school whilst worrying about bullies, lipgloss, boys and her mum's quiet retreat from family life. Full of observant writing about human behaviour, with atmospheric dialect and affectionate humour: "gossip...filtered through Aunty Jean via washing line conversations - a route far more effective than the telephone..."and "Tupperware went up and down the streets of our town faster than the traffic." It has emotional depth and includes astute social and political commentary about how working class people lived, worked and behaved at this time, including the climate of fear that existed, especially in Yorkshire. Plenty of challenging topics are covered, including domestic violence, racism, grief, mental illness, suicide, death and of course the predatory murders of women, all seen through the eyes of Miv, her friends, family and neighbours. I adored reading this debut fiction and was sad it had to finish!
What if someone caught him? I wondered, as I drifted off to sleep. What if the murders were to stop? And we could stay? Then I would never have to leave Sharon and we could be best friends always."
It's late 1979 in the town of Shipley, West Riding of Yorkshire. Focusing on the life of 11 year old Miv and her best friend Sharon, Aunty Jean, haulage manager Dad, unwell Mum and neighbours, widow Mr Bashir and son Ishtiaq, Arthur and many more. All the adults talk about is the Yorkshire Ripper, who is yet to be caught, so Miv decides she and Sharon will investigate, creating her List Of Suspicious Things.
Reminding me of The Trouble With Goats and Sheep and A Terrible Kindness, this is a nostalgic and heartwarming, coming of age tale. I adored Miv, finding her way, noticing suspicious men in her life (of which there were many!) and going to school whilst worrying about bullies, lipgloss, boys and her mum's quiet retreat from family life. Full of observant writing about human behaviour, with atmospheric dialect and affectionate humour: "gossip...filtered through Aunty Jean via washing line conversations - a route far more effective than the telephone..."and "Tupperware went up and down the streets of our town faster than the traffic." It has emotional depth and includes astute social and political commentary about how working class people lived, worked and behaved at this time, including the climate of fear that existed, especially in Yorkshire. Plenty of challenging topics are covered, including domestic violence, racism, grief, mental illness, suicide, death and of course the predatory murders of women, all seen through the eyes of Miv, her friends, family and neighbours. I adored reading this debut fiction and was sad it had to finish!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Murder, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Ableism, Toxic relationship, and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse and Stalking
sam_uel_c's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Murder, Suicide attempt, and Racism
Minor: Rape and Suicide
aileensbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Murder, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Racism, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Death
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcoholism
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Although there is a lot of darkness in this story, I found there was enough humour as well, to lift me through. I lived in Yorkshire in the 1980's, so much of the setting resonated with me, and I could easily imagine the characters. I also really liked the idea of the list - it felt like something my friends and I would have done, and although Miv doesn't stick to her own deductions through the book (she seems to forget the ripper's accent requirements in her later suspicions) she is a child, so of course she's not going to figure things out logically.
There was a little part of me that felt it was just reaching a little too far in including so many different 'issues'...child abuse, domestic violence, racism, suicide, depression, and I felt that around halfway through the pace of the story slowed somewhat because of that. But still, I cared about what was going to happen and the different characters involved.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
There was a little part of me that felt it was just reaching a little too far in including so many different 'issues'...child abuse, domestic violence, racism, suicide, depression, and I felt that around halfway through the pace of the story slowed somewhat because of that. But still, I cared about what was going to happen and the different characters involved.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
mausi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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
This book made me realise how rare it is to encounter stories of working class people, which is why this story was extremely educational for me from a cultural and historical perspective (as someone who did not grow up in the UK). What is a coming of age story on the surface, the book intertwines informative moments exploring topics like social class, racism, sexism, abuse and grief, making it notably original. The story felt so simple and real in the way it explores raw emotions and relationships within this small community in Yorkshire. It broke my heart but it also healed it in its special way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Child abuse, Suicide, Physical abuse, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Mental illness, Abandonment, Violence, Domestic abuse, Racism, Hate crime, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
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