Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Speak

Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

116 reviews

tahdens's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

I read this when I was a kid, and as an attempt to somehow reach that part of me that I genuinely don't remember, I have decided to pick up some books I read as a kid.

This book is dark. I don't think I realized how dark it was when I first read it. But the way the trauma manifested in Melinda was palpable and I ached for her and her pain. And I really enjoyed the art therapy process throughout the year.

The ending felt a bit rushed. She was miserable, and then all of the sudden, she was recovering with no catalyst. I don't want to say that trauma can only be overcome with help and therapy or whatever, and maybe all she needed was to admit to herself that it happened and that she was a victim? Or with the oncoming warm weather she no longer had seasonal depression? But still, it felt like the author was running out time (since the book took place over the school year) and decided, yeah, it's time she get over it.

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elizabethlovesbooks's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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schang2911_'s review

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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dory21's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

Everything on this book is perfect but.. what about David?.. And
Laurie's style of writing reminds me of Jandy Nelson, who's style is as playful as Laurie's..
Kind of nice book, but I would be happier if it has more pages or continuation..

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