Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Prendila così by Joan Didion

75 reviews

mumbler's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Joan Didion is of course a master of her craft and I plan to read as much of  her work as I can get to. This was my first novel by her. It felt very numb. Saying protagonist Maria is a victim is a complicated claim, but I’m here for the disillusionment and criticism of Hollywood. I think the numbness, which lends to the nihilism, may have been necessary for Maria’s survival in that time, but I hope that things would play out differently now and the “Marias” feel more empowered to speak out. Perhaps it’s true that “nothing applies,” as the saying in the book goes, but perhaps we can choose to apply something.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Abortion

samarakroeger's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

a book that sucked me in and spat me out. loved the use of perspective in the narration, the short chapters, and the general sense of unease and desolation. it’s purposefully empty. 

didn’t love the racism, homophobia, sexism, ableism, etc…

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Abortion, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicide, Drug abuse, Ableism, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Addiction, and Car accident

erxcaeng's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

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

Quite enjoyed the writing but it got really depressing at the end and I had to force myself to finish reading it. I liked the ending- it made the story feel complete.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion

Moderate: Drug abuse and Domestic abuse

alg's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy

todelisus's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

the last two pages sealed the deal

A fascinating, little book. Can’t say I enjoyed the story, more like I enjoyed what (and how) the author tried to tell the reader with the story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion and Mental illness

Moderate: Suicide and Emotional abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol

ssamdaly's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abortion, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

She uses the F slur a LOT

ydneysays_'s review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

After a good couple of years of reading new wave "femcel" lit, I finally got around to reading Didion. Play It as It Lays is singular among its peers in capturing a surprising resistance to the existential dread and societal disillusionment it portrays. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Rape

hs259's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Abortion, and Suicide

Moderate: Domestic abuse

mitchelljohnson's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Joan Didion is mostly know for her non-fiction, and I think I understand why. 

The book is good. But that’s it. The content is a bit hard to stomach at points, the plot is nonexistent, but the writing is great. I liked the premise and how it was executed, but I don’t think Didion was great with fiction, or maybe it was this book in particular.

I found myself forgetting characters, because none of them are really memorable. I found myself not understanding what was happening because of how much the book jumped around. I was a bit confused. 

I might try her non-fiction, because her writing is very skillful and she really knows how to get a message across in as little words as possible. Her journalism background really shines in that aspect, but it makes it harsh to read as fiction. I would re-read sections constantly because I didn’t fully grasp one line, putting me off track.

I was disappointed, but I believe that there are points in your life where a book is more meaningful to you, so this just might not have been the right time for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Homophobia, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Chronic illness

wendyeldred's review against another edition

dark emotional

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion

Moderate: Sexual assault, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts