Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

54 reviews

jordynjohnson's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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? Yes

4.75

I really, really enjoyed this book. The world was so immersive, dark and thought provoking and I found myself feeling so upset for Christopher and his mother.

I was so shocked with the twist that the Nice Man was actually the bad guy and the Hissing Lady was the one trying to help everyone.

The themes were really confronting but it was definitely a worthwhile read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a fantastic job, her performance was really moving. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Self harm, and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, and Suicide

keen's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

itsessbee's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Character study meets thriller meets religious exploration. The first half seemed to drag, but paid off in the end. Incredibly creepy imagery. Check trigger warnings before reading. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content

lokidotter's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, and Murder

audalia's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Addiction, Death, Incest, and Pedophilia

nrogers_1030's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

Minor: Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy

paronomaniac's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, and Blood

Moderate: Gun violence, Pedophilia, Suicide, Violence, Dementia, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcoholism and Car accident

nikimorr's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

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

5.0

UPDATE: A year later, I still think about this book regularly. 

This is the kind of book where you could read it more than once and each time find a new message or meaning in it. Overall, I felt like this book came together in the end and answered almost all of the lingering questions. Also, what a creative story idea! This took a special kind of story telling to bring this all together. 

My favorite part of the book was the beginning. A mother and son, both of whom are trying to do their best for each other. I really loved their bond and their struggles. I couldn’t wait to get off work to rejoin them in this story, especially for the first ~100 pages. The power of a mother’s love resonates through every chapter, beginning to end.  

It is a long book, but I never really got tired of it. I think part of the enjoyment comes from different character perspectives in short chapters. My favorite type of book is from various points of view. 

There is a lot of religion in this book. I was not raised in a religious environment, so I would not be surprised to learn that there was a lot more to get from these parts, especially from Mary Katherine. I struggled with liking her character, but what I did gather from her message (spoiler) is that she goes from the side of religion that is focused on being perfect/fear to what the true goal should be - love. I am still pondering the meaning of her pregnancy (besides the “Virgin Mary” reference). 

Spoiler - I found the ending of the book to be quite wonderful. What resonated with me is that the true Hell comes from within - especially with our own guilt and not letting go. We create our own hell. The only freedom can come from within and forgiving ourselves. Also, the importance of coming from a place of love and forgiveness, even with those who have done wrong. Finally, recognizing when we are wrong and working to fix/repent. It ended up being a very positive book with a worthwhile message. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder

finn_vibing's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Dementia, Sexual harassment, and War

theimposter's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis