Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton

3 reviews

jrow's review against another edition

tense slow-paced

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

1.0

It’s was like listening to a bunch of Karens complain the entire book. I only finished the book because I have a problem with marking things as DNF.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Homophobia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Outing

fionamclary's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

This book is not outstanding and it does kind of explain the Message to you at the end, but it will scratch the itch for a classic, aesthetic tragedy.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit

marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.75

This dark and lyrical novel by theologian Tara Isabella Burton is told from the perspective of a naive, impressionable girl who, at the start of her junior year, transfers to the coastal boarding school featured in her favorite novel, which is reminiscent of A Separate Peace.  She is captivated by the chapel choir—especially by its hypnotizing leader and soprano, Virginia—and she is overjoyed to fall into favor with the exclusive group.  The singers, who also deify the novel and its alumnus author, are puppeteered by Virginia, whose obsession with gravity and piety leads her down a dangerous and surprising path.  Exploring sexuality, integrity, and idolization, this is a novel about wanting to become something one has read about. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

The content warning for sexual violence is referring to sharing intimate videos without consent.