Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

46 reviews

ellawalken's review against another edition

dark hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

2.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Self harm

ireadtoescape_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion

beewangu's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Abortion, and Pregnancy

arszania's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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? Yes

4.75

This was a rough one, and I was surprised that it was on Jenna Bush Hager's reading list, but I'm probably judging her unfairly based on her father. I thought the book unfolded very well, and I will definitely read this author again. Lots of digging fingernails into legs, though. Maybe that was on purpose to connect the generations of women?

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Abortion, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Infertility, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Murder

augie_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

beebeewin's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

5.0

I deeply enjoyed this novel and the multi-generational perspective that it provided. With unflinching honestly Etaf Rum tells a story of the struggles of Palestinian women in America. Rum doesn't sugar coat nor make a version of trauma porn, but instead shows how generational trauma, sexism, war, and poverty can create lives that are extremely painful and dark yet full of strength, resilience, and hope. I grew to love and care for all the characters as Rum fleshed them all out beautifully. As the story went along you could see how all the women share many similarities and histories, but are their on people with diverse perspectives. I cannot voice enough additional how even with this deep character work, I still felt gripped by the plot and the story. You could feel the mystery lurking from the beginning and the story built to big reveal gloriously. It is sad that this probably mirrors many women's true life, but as someone who does not have this lived experience it was eye-opening and a reminder of how much I should value my freedom. I would recommend this book to anyone, but be prepared for at once a heartbreaking but incredibly hopeful novel. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Sexism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Murder, and War

Minor: Abortion

nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

oleanderwillow's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Murder

rebekahelis's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Abortion