Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton

4 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.

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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

maiahhtratchh's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

1.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Antisemitism and Religious bigotry

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Fire/Fire injury

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. 

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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.

carbs4life's review against another edition

dark reflective tense 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

5.0

Tara Burton’s prose is wonderful. She does a great job at carrying the reader through the story she wants to tell. Each character means something in the grand scheme. The author does not waste time but the story doesn’t seem rushed either. 

Button certainly has something to say and I am glad I listened. If you are deciding wether or not to pick this one up, go ahead and try it out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Sexual content