Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Manantial by Akwaeke Emezi

46 reviews

finkbillie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book to me is about acceptance of the many selves contained in one; identity. I like the magical elements permeating the story as well as the poetry in which the whole thing was woven. I really enjoyed even when at times it made me rolled my eyes.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, and War

vale_reading's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Eating disorder and Religious bigotry

warandpeace's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective fast-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

4.5

just wow. time to read every other book she’s ever written

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

internationalreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol

emily_journals's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is a beautifully written partial memoir that I believe will have a strong impact on anyone who reads it. Make sure to check trigger warnings for this one before you pick it up as there is a lot of triggering content, but if you are willing/able to read those triggers this is definitely worth the read. 

I found this to be a very intriguing exploration of identity, gender, and sexuality through the lens of Igbo religion and culture. This book was heartbreaking and profound and is a book that I will be rereading in the future to fully appreciate and absorb everything portrayed in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Outing

Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, Stalking, and Lesbophobia

jballin1's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

This book has an audio book available. Avoid it at all costs. The writing is very poetic and could lend itself to well to audio, but the narration ruins it. It's a fantastic representation and interpretation of a rare psychological condition and I just know I would have appreciated the story more had the narration been better or I had a physical book. I'd be interested in more from this author. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape and Self harm

Minor: Domestic abuse

lanid's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Dysphoria

mariebrunelm's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective 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

Freshwater, Emezi's debut novel, isn't exactly as fresh and delightful as its title suggests. It's a raw, violent, disturbing book about identity - or rather, identities. I'm quite certain I didn't understand it fully, and I'm not sure it's a book to understand. It's an experience, the experience of a radically other way of being. I won't even try to write a review because that's not my place. I just appreciate this book for existing, and for opening my eyes to sheer possibility. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Car accident, and Dysphoria

Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

woweewhoa's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-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

4.75

An incredible book about identity and how it intersects with spirituality, trauma, and living. Akwaeke Emezi's writing is really vivid, and most of the explicit scenes, while yes they are explicit, they don't feel voyeuristic. I think this book very good, though please exercise caution as the book is very dark, though it does end on a hopeful note. A lot of heavy subject matter in present in this book, and I feel like most of it is done very well and with a caring hand. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Alcohol

Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

laynemandros's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, and Dysphoria