Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Just Ignore Him by Alan Davies

6 reviews

laurajordensharris's review

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

watermelleon's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Challenging, emotional, dark, incredible. 

Warning: this is not an easy read. There were times I had to pause, and take a breath, or contemplate what was being said. It is very triggering for many reasons, quite graphic in detail, and for this reason I imagine is very difficult for a lot of readers. 

One thing I did not expect from this read was how nuanced it would be written. This is not a sob story where someone is feeling forced to sell their journey as trauma porn for others to feel something over. This is a delicate, intelligent, and well thought out commentary on the society we live in, toxic masculinity, the fickle nature of sexuality, the social and physical effects of childhood trauma, the attraction of dangerous volunteers to risky roles, the court system, the police, feminism, and generational trauma (to name just a few!) 

At one point, Alan touched upon a particularly sore spot for me that I was not expecting to appear at all. But his conversational voice and facts presented reminded me the reader that survivors of trauma exist everywhere in so many forms and we all have learned lessons that have value when we are ready to reach out and discuss it with others. 

I'm so glad to have picked the audio book version, which added another level of expertly guided feelings by Alan. He is a fantastic voice, and had me crying on many many bus journeys and walks.

An incredible last line that will stick with me for a long time as well. I wish for many of my friends and family members to read this.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Many people were shocked to hear that this is about Alan's experiences of Childhood sexual abuse by his father, not sure if it is in the marketing but had a few people mention they thought it was just about emotional abuse! The sexual abuse is very detailed and a big part of the book.

radfordmanor's review

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Excrement, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

bethnash's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent

celaeno's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring sad tense slow-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Dementia

kellys_bookcase's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

 Celebrity memoirs aren't something I usually gravitate towards (this is the third one I've ever read), but then I read an extract online and this book immediately made its way onto my birthday/Xmas wish list. (Also I've been a huge fan of QI since I was a teenager.)    

 

Just Ignore Him by Alan Davies is an honest, heartbreaking account of a childhood that can only be described as a nightmare. Only a few years after his mother's death was swiftly swept under the rug, he was betrayed by the one person who should've loved and supported him. 

 

Davies does not shy away from the abuse he suffered, but his beautiful writing style made this book so compelling, I read it in one sitting. You could almost feel the weight of the secret that he's had to carry for his entire life and my heart ached for the lonely six-year-old boy who just wanted to be loved. As I was reading this, I could hear Davies' voice and knowing that he narrates the audiobook, I believe that it would be worth listening too as well. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent