Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

63 reviews

hermione_gilmore's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad fast-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? Yes

3.75

It was a really good book! „IT“ haha well… iykyk. It discussed a really harsh and brutal topic in a very accurate but not terrifying way. The book does a great job at putting some light on really dark topics and presenting hope and growth, trough the metaphor of a tree (wonderful btw), as the key solution for trauma. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Mental illness

maurice_greenware's review

dark emotional informative sad tense

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

2.5

I would be a pretty good book if the main character wasn't so misogynistic throughout the book! I can see how this book would have helped people who've been sexually assaulted, and I applaud the author for creating a book that has helped people with their trauma. I feel like if I had read this book a couple years ago, when I was just getting out of an abusive relationship, it would've really helped me understand what I had been through. so props to the author for sure, I just personally didn't like the writing a lot .

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

Moderate: Bullying and Body shaming

Minor: Ableism

oliviaengland05's review

challenging dark informative reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Self harm, Mental illness, and Sexual violence

maddy_rose21's review

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, and Toxic friendship

eggboy397's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Bullying, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship

alyssaroberts13's review

dark emotional sad 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: Bullying, Sexual assault, Blood, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, and Rape

rileepickle's review

dark emotional inspiring 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

I love this book! I think it touches on really important subjects (SA, rape, under-age alcohol use, friend dynamics, high school politics, etc.) in ways that is easy for high schoolers to understand without being overbearing or boring.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Mental illness

hotdoglover05's review

emotional informative reflective sad 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Bullying, Mental illness, Rape, and Self harm

andrewhatesham's review against another edition

emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Blood, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual violence

ashleyvaleria's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

very heavy topics but was done very well. didn’t love the writing style but understood it was purposeful as it is from melinda’s point of view and it sounds like a 9th grader wrote it. most writers struggle to perfectly convey this age in their characters but i found myself relating to a lot of what melinda said and how she thinks. definitely look up trigger warnings before reading though. i know this book will stick with me </3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, and Rape