Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner

28 reviews

firedew's review against another edition

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dark hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

5.0


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throwback682's review against another edition

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dark reflective medium-paced

2.75

As others have mentioned, this book has lots of problems, including the audiobook narrator putting on Chinese and First Nations accents, deadnaming and other transphobic comments, among others. There were just so many times that I cringed. The author at times seemed self aware but often was just painfully out of touch. The book did feel rather exploitative, and often felt fake. I felt like it was particularly insensitive about sexual abuse, for example the way the author distinguished between “violent” sexual abuse and… what?? It’s all violent! I think I agree with other people who called the book trauma porn. I did (enjoy doesn’t seem like the right word) parts of the book. I did gain some understanding into how childhood trauma can impact people, and felt hopeful at times that I and people I love can heal from difficult things. But overall the book felt pretty icky. I’m kind of shocked how many people uncritically loved it. Definitely read with caution especially if you’re a survivor of abuse, especially sexual abuse or child abuse generally. 

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ameliez's review against another edition

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2.75


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arantxalasa's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0


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paris_nicole's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

In this book, a retired therapist recounts five of her most memorable clients. She refers to them as "heroes" throughout, because of their resilience after extreme abuse/neglect. They all come to her as adults and she uses a psychodynamic approach to process their disturbing childhoods. 

As a therapist myself, I was intrigued by her techniques and approach. I am not psychodynamic and do not treat severe trauma, but learned some things that I will take with me into my own practice. I especially appreciate how she was candid with her countertransferance and mistakes along the way. She exhibited patience and restraint during her years long relationships with each client. 

Regarding the individual stories, they are quite disturbing. Trigger warnings for child neglect, traumatic separation from parents, child emotional abuse and childhood sexual assault/violence. 

Overall I enjoyed this book. I think fellow therapists will appreciate it, but it can be enjoyed by non-therapists as well. The stories will definitely stick with me for a long time.

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biojesspj's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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jams_is_rad's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5


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koszulek's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring

5.0


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kloughlin's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

5.0


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adrianna_0623's review

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dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

3.0

massive tw, proceed with caution and if you choose to read this take it slow

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