Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Beautiful World, Where Are You, by Sally Rooney

7 reviews

jasminrain's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I adore Rooney's way with words. This book is so beautifully written and the way in which she describes the world and moments is really extraordinary. I loved the letters and the intellectual discussion between the two main characters through them - they gave me a lot to think about. But as a story and characters, it was nothing out of ordinary. I didn't enjoy the characters or their relationships. There was just so much gaslighting and toxic relationships, and incidents such as sexual coercion that went unaddressed and the book seemed to normalise. On a lighter note, I also couldn't relate to any of the characters. For lots of people this seems to be the reality that we live in, but for me it seemed absurd. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual violence, Self harm, Bullying, Classism, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

bookynooknook's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Self harm, Violence, and Sexual violence

lex_r's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

I had high expectations for this novel, which should have been checked and adjusted entering this read. Although Rooney's discourse in this novel feels current with its emphasis on climate anxiety and political unrest the semi-epistolary style and language use make it seemed forced and performative. The book is formatted so every other chapter is a transcript of an email between Alice and Eileen, and more often then not I found myself uninterested in the email correspondences. To me they read as lengthy monolithic Wikipedia articles and exuded a sense of impersonality. The emails were lacking personality and I had a difficult time telling the difference between Eileen and Alice in these chapters. Although I do give credit for the narration style it is unique and creative! Overall, I don't think this book was intended for my demographic, I am sure other have found this devour-able but I spent almost every minute hoping it would end or get better. Perhaps I will re-visit closer to my late/mid twenties.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Mental illness

irinalast's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness

scruffie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

4.5

I felt like I could have done without the very elaborate descriptions of the protagonists' surroundings, but other than that I really liked this book. The characters felt complex and I quite enjoyed reading about their concerns, even if said concerns don't perfectly match my own. A highly quotable book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Mental illness

Moderate: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence

Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, and Pregnancy

lucyspivey's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

5.0

SUCH a good book. it’s structured very well and brings up important and relevant topics that i’ve had anxiety about and can relate to. LOVE

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual violence

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Mental illness

saphirabloom's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death of parent, Drug use, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Panic attacks/disorders