Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

22 reviews

nad_books623's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad 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

4.0

I did not like how the last story was written but I liked the idea. Each story had something that I could relate to or that I knew a family member could relate to.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Child death and Grief

imogenlj's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Dementia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Abortion

felishacb's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Miscarriage, Dementia, Abortion, and Alcohol

ksuazo94's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Addiction and Abandonment

katndrsn's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child abuse and Gun violence

anitra2319's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

I read this book as a buddy read with a long distance friend of mine. I was expecting it to be a lighter read but I was completely wrong. Philyaw weaves marvelous and complex tales of what happens behind the closed doors of church ladies. Some of these stories were lighthearted and funny, but there were also a good amount that made me have to put the book down for awhile. 

I can’t wait to see what my friend thinks!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, and Alcohol

bek_p87's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

I don't normally read short story collections because I often find that my favourites are too short and I want more, and vice versa. So this was a welcome surprise - I was intrigued and entranced by all of the stories, which (even though some left me wanting more) were all complete in their own right. My favourites were Dear Sister, Snowfall, How to Make Love to a Physicist, and Instructions for Married Christian Husbands.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Racial slurs, and Sexual content

Moderate: Drug abuse and Homophobia

Minor: Murder

abbyluvsfrogs444's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.0

This is such a stunning collection of short stories. I fell in love with all the characters. I adored the writing. I became absorbed in all the stories. I love this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Grief

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Dementia, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol

mraddd's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Drug abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.5

This book is about sexual relationships, not just the kind most Christian churches would like you to have. The writing was excellent, and you got to know these characters despite the short stories.

The narration was good, but it could have benefitted from having more than one narrator. While I enjoyed listening to her, it felt like it was just one character telling all the stories, which is not the case.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism