Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum

85 reviews

brynnbmn's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective relaxing tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence

mirchi'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book hurts. It tells the story of mainly two/three generations of women from a Palestinian/Palestinian-American family, focused on the misogyny that each generation ensures and perpetuates. The author is able to cleverly address the intersection and perceived overlap between culture and inherently patriarchal values. And more importantly, the author is able to draw a clear line of generational trauma between the three generation of women, without truly demonizing or deifying any one person. The author also discusses how harmful patriarchal values are to men, although the harm they endure does not justify the harm they cause. It is a complicated story which takes the space to humanize the evil and goodness in each person, while also not justifying any wrongdoings. Overall it is a beautiful book, but I would read it with several cups of hot chocolate. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Grief

Minor: War and Xenophobia

amandaplease50's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful 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

5.0

This was such an excellent book and story to read. Amazing debut from the author and makes me extremely interested in reading her second book. 

But please make sure you are mentally ready to read this book. While I would highly recommend it, it’s also a mentally taxing book to read. 

This book made me understand better how women in certain situations think that I definitely didn’t take into account ever. The dual POVs and changes from the 90s to 2000s was such a great way to read this story. There are so many books TikTok and social media has lead me to and I’m real glad for this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Abortion, Rape, and Violence

Moderate: Islamophobia, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts

sierraburrell's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence

Moderate: War, Sexism, and Violence

jessi_mares's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Violence, and Physical abuse

Minor: Abortion and Mental illness

ladyinverse's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I will definitely think about this book for a long time. probably the most harrowing novel I've read and the writing was absolutely captivating and gripping. 

I found myself cheering or yelling oh no at the characters as I read the deeper and deeper I got into this story.

Etaf Rum is certainly a new auto buy author for me. Her writing is elegant and captivating and her story telling transports you to the characters she's portraying.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Physical abuse, Murder, Grief, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Sexual violence, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: War and Xenophobia

Minor: Abortion

ellawalken's review against another edition

dark hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Self harm

wtffffer's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Violence

Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness

Minor: Xenophobia, Rape, Abortion, and Blood

mmmmmm's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

this is the best book i’ve read in a long time (and i’ve promptly started evil eye). will need to grab a physical copy to reread with my eyes so i can underline things & such. 

absolutely devastating but in a way that felt so honest, with such an array of strong, complex characters. this is an absolute masterclass in exploring the damage of inter generational trauma, as well as how such a painful cycle is perpetuated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Violence, and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Minor: War and Xenophobia

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

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Content Warnings

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

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