Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Lakewood by Megan Giddings

63 reviews

kather_doc's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Vomit, Confinement, Classism, Body horror, and Blood

elwirax's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

An interesting exploration of themes and subject matter that were unfortunately overshadowed by the lack of character development and ability to connect with the characters due to the writing style. I thought that the book did very little in the way of exploring the the main characters psyche for a book that deals with harsh topics such as human experimentation, race inequality and the abuse of power. While the plot was intriguing, the pacing was slightly off and lacked any sort of climax or high stakes. This is particularly evident at the end where things are just happening and being discussed rapidly, leaving me with many unanswered questions. 

Overall, this was not a bad book. Its focus on the evils and horrors of medical experimentation on Black bodies is important. However, the execution lacked the emotional impact such a story would warrant due to poor pacing and characterisation.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Medical trauma

killmoore_'s review

challenging dark medium-paced

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

2.5

I wanted to love this. It was an addictive read that fell flat for me. As stated in previous comments, I believe this would have been perfect as a novella, but as a full length novel it was lacking substance and depth, and was incredibly frustrating. 

There were a few moments that could have been pure horror, but Lena's need to be detached and emotionally void dampened the effect, which was disappointing. 

I'd recommend as a conversation starter for a book club, or someone looking for a truly interesting concept written as a "stuff happens" sandwich. It begins, stuff happens, then it ends. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body horror, Racism, Cancer, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Confinement, Blood, Gore, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Terminal illness

spineofthesaurus's review

tense

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Dysphoria, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Violence, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Racism, Self harm, Physical abuse, Torture, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Stalking, Abandonment, Murder, Classism, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Cancer, Drug abuse, Grief, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Slavery, Vomit, Addiction, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, and Trafficking

Minor: Car accident, Police brutality, and Pregnancy

jkpiowa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Confinement, and Medical content

Moderate: Gaslighting, Racism, Cancer, Grief, Body horror, and Gun violence

haleea's review

dark medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Racism, Medical content, and Medical trauma

deathcabforkatey's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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? No

4.0

I really like this timely novel exploring racism, medical mistrust, mistrust in research, etc. especially as a researcher who works with racially minoritized populations in health domains. I really think this book is a must read for those of us in this profession. I think it helps illustrate the ethical issues in our work so clearly and the narrator is thoughtful and descriptive. Honestly the book is scary and creepy, trying to consider the ways that these kinds of unethical experiments are ongoing and targeting generations of marginalized people. 

As a book, I didn’t love the lack of resolution/answers. I think the author does this on purpose to illustrate the ways we don’t get these answers in the real world. But personally this was where the book fell short. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma and Racism

ericaburns1's review

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Cool concept and themes. Unsatisfying ending with no real conclusion.  No questions fully answered. I don’t necessarily want everything spelled out for me, but I wanted more to the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Terminal illness, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, and Torture

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

____emily____'s review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma and Medical content

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Cancer, Death, and Death of parent

ripxw's review

challenging dark medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma

Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs