Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

23 reviews

stabilesero's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This book is intense. This book will absorb your tears, and crack at the spine when you slam it down in fear, in anger, in wanting hope for the characters.

I am so thankful for finding this gem; it isn't something I would have picked up on blurb alone. 

There are heavy topics through-out, so be warned; kidnap, sexual assault, physical assault are present throughout this book, and yes, you may need a hot bath at several stages to cleanse what you have read but this is reality. This is a raw, unglamorous account of what happens around the world to many women. Too many women. 

I finished it, and want to read it again. There are very few books that reach these depths of emotion, and can connect with women, with humans, with anyone who knows the horrors that could lurk around the corner. 

I am speechless, and I will forever recommend this book to anyone who dares to read it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Blood, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

chrliesangel28's review

emotional sad tense slow-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? No

4.0

This was a hard book to read. They really described what she went through during her time in captivity. It also took time in between to have her tell us about her family, meeting her husband and her child. I do recommend it but know it is rough to read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Rape, and Sexual violence

leslie_overbookedsocialworker's review

dark emotional tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape

Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Eating disorder

jadahreads's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Torture, Rape, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, and Confinement

annie_reads_books's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Rape, and Violence

Moderate: Cancer

melissalivanos's review

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.0

The trigger warnings on this are a small novel in themselves. This book is an absolutely brutal but very well told story. Proceed with caution. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Vomit, Torture, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, and Confinement

Moderate: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, and Eating disorder

skorned's review

challenging dark reflective 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? No

5.0

Awful and beautiful and gripping and so so well crafted. Roxane Gay is so talented at weaving characters and developing our understanding of the characters and what's happening. I did not expect to race through this like I did; i knew it would be a tough read, and it was, but oh was it worth it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse

remigves's review

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Violence, Misogyny, Torture, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

jerichoknopp's review

challenging dark emotional sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Torture, Violence, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault

scientist's review

emotional tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Oof, this book hits hard. So well written and well developed, but the subject matter is just difficult. The author does an amazing job of following the main character’s development through her kidnapping and after. Gay is more known for her essays, but she obviously has mastered the art of fiction as well. I continue my admiration for the author and will continue to read my way through her work, although because of the difficult subject matter, I’m not sure I would reread this particular book. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Torture, Eating disorder, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual content