Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

9 reviews

maurice_greenware's review

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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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_saphyr_'s review

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dark emotional reflective sad 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

3.5


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sarahrosea's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25


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madradstarchild's review against another edition

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

4.0


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mrdeadman's review

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


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bill369's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I've been meaning to watch the movie for some time now, however, I wanted to read the book first. That's why I read it and it was good.

I like David a lot because he's not afraid to say what he thinks, he's fearless. He's got a brilliant mind and is kind too, however, he's not mentioned frequently enough for him to be my favourite character. I suppose my favourite character is Melinda. She's strong, relatable and I admire her. She's been through it and I can't even imagine what it's like to experience what she had experienced. I loved to see her character development and I hope she'll now live a better life.

The theme is also a big reason why I chose this book. The idea of barely speaking is captivating. The elaboration is done well. I suppose, even less advanced readers will understand the book, which is great.

I liked the part in which Nicole and Mel had the tennis match because it was exciting. My favourite part though is from page 175 and it pictures Mel defending herself, using her voice and everything she can. That was powerful and gripping.
The lines are:
SpoilerNo. A sound explodes from me. "NNNOOO!!!" Shards of glass slip down
the wall and into the sink. IT pulls
away from me, puzzled. I reach in and wrap my fingers around a triangle of
glass. I hold it to Andy Evans's neck. He freezes. I push just hard enough to
raise one drop of blood. He raises his arms over his head. My hand quivers.
I want to insert the glass all the way through his throat, I want to hear him
scream. I look up. I see the stubble on his chin, a fleck of white in the
corner of his mouth. His lips are paralyzed. He cannot speak. That's good
enough.
I follow the sound, pushing off the wall, pushing Andy Evans off-balance,
stumbling into the broken sink. He curses and turns, his fist coming,
coming. An explosion in my head and blood in my mouth. He hit me. I
scream, scream. Why aren't the walls falling? I'm screaming loud enough to
make the whole school crumble. I grab for anything, my potpourri Me: "I
said no."


The ending was satisfying enough. In my opinion, it was well suited and I liked it, however, it didn't make me feel anything really, which is disappointing. Overall the book didn't really have an emotional impact on me, however, it did make me reconsider a few things.

The rating is 3.5 because it didn't make me emotional, it wasn't thrilling enough and I wish things were more detailed. Despite this the book was amazing and I did enjoy it. I especially liked how Melinda's mind was portrayed and how Mr. Freedman's classroom was described. I'm curious about what will the movie be like.

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cepbreed's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad fast-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

4.75

Such a wonderful read, I was so hooked I finished it in one night. I really liked the way the author structures the chapters and gives them all titles of their own. Melinda was a very relatable character, she's human, her actions are frustrating and she's tragic. The reader can't help but want to support her and relate our lives to hers. Somehow the author managed to encompass the high school experience accurately. Teens are caustic and biting but we're all selfish humans. The only reason this isn't a 5/5 is because it was wayyyy too short. I really wanted to see her take her much needed revenge.

Songs: 
  • High - Slow Pulp
  • Afraid - The Neighborhood

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kelseyholler's review

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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riobo's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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? N/A

4.0

It’s really sad but well written. One of the only school books I’ve actually read and the movie is just as good. 

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