Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

8 reviews

c0d3nam3qt's review against another edition

2.0

This is the second Lisa Jewell book that I have read. (The first being “None of this is true”) If I hadn’t bought this one years ago, I don’t think I ever would have read another from her. After reading this one, I can confidently say, this one is my last. 

I really dislike the marketing of these two books. They don’t lead on to the type of content within and I think it is inappropriate to not make the reader at least somewhat aware. These two books deal with very dark and disturbing content. From looking into this author’s backlist, it seems that the majority deal with the same few incredibly dark and triggering subjects, but no where is it warned. The front of this book has this kitschy whimsical drawn map, but there is no whimsy here. 

Following spoilers also spoil “None of this is true”.

There are so many parallels between this story and “None of this is true”. Both have men that are objectively bad people, that don’t get even a slap on the wrist for their abhorrent behaviour. Or other characters try their absolute hardest to defend those men’s actions. The whole time you are supposed to think it is one of these awful men that did yet another awful thing, but sike it’s actually a female victim(s) turned evil/crazy/violent. Everyone who could have stopped it or could prevent something else from happening, just makes excuses and basically says it’s none of their business. Or even goes so far as to destroy evidence. There is no justice for anyone in either novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Alcohol

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Violence, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Eating disorder, Misogyny, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, and Medical content

caltree's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use and Violence

sydvaldez's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Blood, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

morgbb's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia

a_alves00's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

lpdx's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

keirahelena_'s review against another edition

dark slow-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Violence

kenmorxo's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75

The book really did have me asking "whodunit" alot but the more I got to the end the more I found myself saying "umm no way. This isn't enough. What!" and I think that's why I couldn't give it a full 4. It is however a really good book and something to think about when reflecting on your life and how you interact with neighbors.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Bullying and Blood

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail