Reviews tagging 'Racism'

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Marie-Claire Amuah

5 reviews

kimveach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.25

This is a hard book to "like" as it deals with child and domestic abuse and its lifetime ramifications. However, I loved Stella and the hope she had that her life could get better. Her story of being a British Ghanaian added so much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

toniamarieparker's review

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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Grief

Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

kirstym25's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Mental illness and Racism

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

 One for Sorrow, Two for Joy is a novel which follows Stella, a British-Ghanaian, from childhood through to adulthood. Hers is a difficult life involving physical and emotional abuse from her father, witnessing domestic abuse and experiencing it for herself, mental health struggles, and surviving a suicide attempt. So it was a tough read. But Stella is bright, hard working, strong and resourceful and has a wonderful group of friends. I was impressed by how the author changed Stella’s voice from childhood, through her teenage years and then into adulthood. I appreciated the way she depicted Stella’s struggles with mental health and loved that finding the right therapist was shown to be a key part of her recovery. I thought her characterisation of Stella’s mother was also excellent with the contrast between her behaviour at home, and her competent respected persona at work an effective way of showing the impact of domestic abuse. All in all a strong debut which I was pleased to see on the shortlist for the Diverse Book Awards. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Racism

igotcourt's review

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racism