Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Η Ελένα ξέρει by Claudia Piñeiro

6 reviews

jesselopod's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

I don’t think I have ever read anything like this. Very complex characters, an unlikely protagonist for a crime novel both in age and physical state, and ultimately an incredible commentary on bodily autonomy, societal expectations and motherhood, but the less spoken about aspects of motherhood beyond the rose-tinted version we’re comfortable with. The writing style really helped the story match the struggles of the protagonist, but without the standard disability tropes and inspiration porn, she was tenacious and determined, hard and unlikeable, but with some cutting moments of vulnerability. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, and Medical content

Moderate: Infertility, Rape, Suicide, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy

Minor: Alcoholism

jul_grk's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Ableism, Sexual assault, and Abortion

Minor: Alcoholism

pyronautphea's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Vomit

Minor: Alcoholism, Dementia, and Religious bigotry

isabezza's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

3.5

Elena Knows is a heart wrenching novel about motherhood and how this influences a woman's perception of the truth. It's award winning quality is evident in the well-written contrast between Elena's assertive, forceful mind and her deteriorating, unreliable body. However, this novel was particularly challenging as central characters (who we likely wish to respect) have opposing values questionable stances towards women's issues which contradict most readers' opinions. Whilst this made the story evermore insightful and reflective, it increased the challenge of reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, and Abortion

kaislea's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Abortion

Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

someonelikeblue's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, and Abortion

Minor: Body shaming, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Xenophobia, Blood, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail