Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Testaments: The Sequel to the Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

37 reviews

katie0528's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Set over a decade after the original book, this book follows three women, Aunt Lydia, a Gilead girl named Anges, and a girl in Canda named Daisy, and how their lives entwine to attempt to take down the oppressive Gilead regime. Each character is rich and complicated, her flaws apparent by her upbringing and being forced to confront their pasts and what they have been told is true and what is actually true. It does emphasize the importance of fighting against opressive regimes. Atwood's aftwerword also addresses the current situation in the United States and how shifting attitudes inspired the update to the original novel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Murder

Moderate: Cursing, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

hannahnadeshda's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, War, and Classism

rchulin1's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

5.0

Im so surprised that this was published in 2019 more than 30 years after The Handmaids Tale was. But since this is the case the writing is a bit different but still amazingly done. In this book you get three perspectives: Aunt Lydia, Baby Nicole (all grown up), and Agnes. The story takes place fifteen years after the first book though some of the story takes place only several years later which can be confusing so you see Agnes as a child for a bit then as a teenager and lastly as a young adult in her early twenties while Nicole’s perspective is only from her being 15. Hand maids are not really in this book except for a few moments but I’m glad to have seen the other side of wives and aunts all that goes with it. There’s so many comparisons between Nicole and Agnes since they were brought up so differently but somehow have to work together. I believe this book is easier to read than the first book. Also I loved the “fake news “ bit

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic

kerrence30's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Wasn’t sure if the sequel was going to do justice to the first story, but fear not, it was perfect. Loved how the story developed with the new characters 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy

rea1997's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

4.5

I just finished reading this book, and I have to say, it's pretty wild. It's a sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, but you really need to have read that to understand it. The world-building is on point, and it's cool to see more of Gilead and how it works.

The story itself is a bit predictable, but it's still interesting to see how everything plays out. I especially liked the parts with Aunt Lydia and Agnes Jemima. They were my favorite characters. Daisy was kind of annoying, though. I couldn't stand her.

One thing I didn't like was the ending for Aunt Lydia. I thought it was kind of harsh. But overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a good read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

evaeyre's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

an amazing sequel! It’s not directly after the Handmaid’s tale and not in her perspective either, but in turn you learn about a newer cast of characters who are equally interesting — including Aunt Lydia! such a complex and inspiring character.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Grief, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and War

Minor: Transphobia and Vomit

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

It took a minute to realize there were three POV but when I did, the story started coming together so nicely. I really didn’t want to put this down. I’m a sucker for a dystopian, corrupt-government tale, and this, much like The Handmaid’s Tale, didn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed getting a peek into Aunt Lydia’s mind. Atwood’s work continues to be timely and relevant and this sequel to the 1985 Handmaid’s Tale was equal parts fascinating and horrifying. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

samshort's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

3.75

It was enjoyable, although I think some plot points took away from the message of the first book. I think I prefer THT as a standalone. I did appreciate the exploration into new aspects of Gileadean society, although I would have enjoyed seeing different demographics represented. All the protagonists are white women.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

irisandfoxglove's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I found the book really engaging and an enjoyable read. I’ll note it works really well as an audiobook, which isn’t always the case.

I don’t understand why Becca met the fate that she did. Also, I cried when they mentioned the statue with the forget me nots at the end. She is a character I was sad to not see more development of, especially when reading the secret files. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Pedophilia

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Torture, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt

theimposter's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Incest, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism