Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Passing by Nella Larsen

40 reviews

chwinters's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Toxic friendship

rieviolet's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This novella packs a lot into a little more than one hundred pages. 

In the foreground there's race and the concept of passing, with all of its moral implications. I think the theme is explored really well, and through the different characters we can observe all of its nuances. 

The author is also good at delving deep into the main character's psychology. The relationship between Irene and Clare is fraught with conflicting emotions, and it is build upon in a very clever way until the shocking breaking point.

I really appreciated the themes and the prose, but I wasn't completely swept away by the story, hence the 4-star rating. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Infidelity, Suicide, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism

bibliozord's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship

faith99's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Infidelity

lateromantic's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Outing

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Stalking, Colonisation, and Classism

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

A unique and fascinating classic novel. It's easy to get sucked into Irene and Clare's world of secrets. You really feel for the two women, even when they are hard to like or love.

For what it's worth, the movie follows the book to a tee!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism

growintogardens's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death and Violence

lucinotlucy's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Infidelity, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Death and Outing

ginzura's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship

danajoy's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Infidelity and Toxic friendship