Scan barcode
headlesswork's review against another edition
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Misogyny
nikkiacat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug use, Islamophobia, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Islamophobia
phobosm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and War
dianahincureads's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Slap is a polyphonic little wonder, where we get the perspective of eight different characters, all present at the barbeque. At first, it seems easy to side with a team (pro or against the slapping/sounds funny so I had to add this) but then we realise what Tsiolkas is doing.
The slap is no longer a simple slap but rather a metaphorical slap intended for the Australian society. Even though Australia is a multicultural nation, in practice there are many issues related to multiculturalism (racism, discrimination and the erasure of Aboriginal voices to just name a few). From an historical point of view, Australia has a troubled past when it comes to its immigration system and its treatment of the indigenous people. The ‘White Australia Policy’ with its restrictive laws on migration and then the more welcoming Multicultural Policy in the 1970s have real consequences in the present-day multicultural Australia (and these are only 2 specific events related to immigration but of course there are many others). Tsiolkas explores this in his novel and by the end of it, there are no good/bad sides. All characters have their own flaws but it is obvious how some need to deconstruct their privilege whilst others deal with racism on a daily basis.
Read it if you want to get angry/be entertained (remember the slap).
Do not read it if you are sensitive to topics such as sexual violence, violence in general and slurs. It’s difficult to swallow at times but it makes you think about the world we live in.
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content