Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀

71 reviews

simonefk's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

I think this is a really beautiful novel, it really explores the culture of Nigeria and follows two distinctly different characters, one living in poverty and the other, a wealthy doctor. It's quite a dark and heavy book and violent at times but was a real eye opener into issues like domestic violence and political corruption.

Its just short of 5 stars for me as I feel it was a slow burner initially with character building then the second half progressed quite quickly meaning it felt a little like two distinct halves but nonetheless I would definitely reccomend this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Violence

junglejelly's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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 a beautifully written book with such interesting characters.

While I did mostly enjoy the book, I did find the middle too slow in pace, and the parents' perspectives too jarring. The slow pace and different perspectives affected the flow of the book.

The ending is so haunting and left me

devestated with the family deaths and the unhopeful feeling it leaves you with

.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Bullying, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury

oz2021's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

balladofreadingqueer's review

emotional tense slow-paced

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

4.5

I liked this book a lot. It follows Eniola and Wurola- one poor boy whose family struggles after his dad loses his job, and one young doctor from a wealthy well-respected family. It reads like a slice of life-both covering family and education but one with more struggle. Both people have their own struggles with violent men and how it negatively impacts their lives and their family.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Minor: Kidnapping and Murder

stellahadz's review

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.25

The ending of this book absolutely devastated me. It made me cry real tears for the characters and their suffering. Only read this book if you are prepared for an unhappy ending. 

That being said, it's a brilliantly written book. The characters are well fleshed-out, and their stories are gripping, although sometimes hard to read because of how much hardship they face. The beginning of the book dragged a bit for me, but the last 3/4 more than made up for it. Definitely recommend, but only if you're ready for a book to break your heart. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Death of parent

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury

ccoyle7's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence

tamaramo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Classism

Moderate: Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

amylav's review

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

yajairat's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Had a little bit of a slow start for me, but by the first 100 pages I was invested. I loved Ayobami Adebayo's writing in her first novel, and this one was no different. Her descriptions of the lives of these two main characters were so vivid, that it was jarring at times when the POVs switched. This was an insightful look into politics, class, gender in Nigerian society, depression, and relationship abuse. All pretty heavy topics, but all weaved together seamlessly. The ending was sobering, had to sit with it for a bit after I finished reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Violence

kwahl's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Blood, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail