Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

32 reviews

flovntic's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Classism

katharina90's review against another edition

dark informative reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

This book left me with mixed emotions.

I appreciated the glimpses into what life was like in an impoverished Naples neighborhood in the 1950s and beyond. 

I came away with the impression that it was dark and violent, particularly for women, and that the rampant sexism of this time and place deeply affected female friendships, often turning them toxic and jealous rather than supportive and empowering. 

While this may be accurate and valuable from an educational standpoint, I didn't find it very enjoyable to read. It made the characters really unlikeable and so I wasn't invested in their story. I just wanted to get through it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism

risemini's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

girlsiread's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

no one can write girlhood like elena ferrante. it’s so unsettling, raw, but so deeply realistic. it explores the politics of italy, mother-daughter relationships, poverty, the male gaze, and friendship all in one and i’m just so obsessed. finished it on my kindle and instantly went to purchase the rest of the series. ty elena ferrante. and here’s to women in translate month :*

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

nadiaherondale's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

At first there was just vibes and jealousy and in the end there was love, and poverty, and the difficulties of being a woman and jealousy. I wasn't sure if I was going to end this book because the first 25% was too slow for my taste but I do hate not finishing books and finally found myself with a great tale of female friendship. I loved Lila and Lenu, and their competition and their love, it was a beautiful tale of the realities and struggles of being a female.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Violence

ilovedyou's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship

selenatothemax's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Toxic friendship

flashandoutbreak's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Toxic friendship

codecat's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Minor: Homophobia and Racism

kgorinshteyn's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship