Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Monster of Her Age by Danielle Binks

6 reviews

longlost's review

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.0

Among the quoted praises for this book is: "The Monster of Her Age is as much an homage to film as it is to family and heart-fluttering crushes." 

This is absolutely accurate. As much care is paid to the world-building of film and cinema history as it is to the story of Ellie and her family, along with her budding relationship with Riya, and it serves the story well through its intricate ties to the themes & characters and in how well it makes the world and history depicted here seem alive. The passion in this book is palpable, and it made it that much more enjoyable to read. Much like Ellie herself, I now have some films to add to my never-ending watchlist based on the discussions in this book. 

The subject matter is heavy at times, but handled with care. The way trauma was presentedand discussed and the subsequent conflicting feelings Ellie harboured regarding her family really spoke to me on a personal level. Ultimately, her journey to better understanding herself and her feelings was a cathartic one to read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Child abuse, and Medical content

Moderate: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Bullying, and Death of parent

Minor: Car accident, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

niamhstorme's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Death, Bullying, and Medical content

sophie42's review

emotional inspiring 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Child abuse, and Death

Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Gaslighting, Bullying, and Medical content

theafictionado's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Set in an alternate history where Australia had its own Golden Age of cinema right alongside Hollywood, this is a neat character drama about complicated relationships… and horror movies! Honestly I’m in love with this one purely for Binks’ rebellious twist on history, inviting us to imagine a world where Hobart is as glamorous as Beverly Hills and Aussies don’t have to fit themselves into the US market to make their art on a grand stage. Combined with the ruminations on the cathartic, feminist potential of horror as a genre, the nuanced discussion of forgiveness and trauma, and, yes, the very cute romantic subplot, this one’s a real winner for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness

Minor: Child abuse

beautifulpaxielreads's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Medical content, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Bullying, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Torture and Violence

Minor: Homophobia and Biphobia

stressejesse's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Grief and Child abuse