Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

13 reviews

ejreads's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

_serena_'s review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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This story is heartbreaking, yet so impactful as Melinda finally defends herself and speaks up for herself. I cannot imagine the pain and loneliness she felt. I can however relate to hurting and no one noticing - parents brushing you off as acting out. 
Unfortunately, I think this story will be timeless. Written in 1999 and it's still just as impactful and powerful in 2024. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment

liad24's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

your_geekygf's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Self harm, Alcohol

bookeduntil's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship

my3bb8's review against another edition

3.75

emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment

Minor: Self harm

anthos_'s review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Toxic friendship

Minor: Self harm

belladonnashrike's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

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won’t comment on the writing quality considering i’m no longer the target age for this novel, but regardless of that, it’s an excellent and important story. originally read it when I was in middle school and it helped me with some things - definitely should be a required reading for young teens. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail

yaelm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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לא יודעת למה הקשבתי לספר הזה היום.

לא מדרגת כי אמנם לא אהבתי אותו, אבל אני
א. מאוד לא קהל היעד שלו
ב. מכירה את העלילה עוד מהסרט (שצפיתי בו לפני 15 שנה, אולי יותר).

הנושא והעיסוק בו חשוב, אם כי נראה לי שבמובנים מסויימים השיחה עליו התפתחה קצת מאז הפרסום המקורי. יש בו דברים שלא התיישנו כ״כ טוב או מיוצגים באופן קצת לא אמין (הדיכאון של הגיבורה נסיבתי אמנם, אבל זה לא פשוט עובר יום אחד), אבל לזכות הסופרת יאמר שהיא מתייחסת אליהם (בעקיפין) באחרית הדבר (סלאטשיימינג, למשל).

במהדורה לכבוד 20 השנים שעברו מאז הפרסום (לא יודעת אם גם במקורית) יש גם מכתב לנערים שקוראים את זה לגבי האופן שבו צריך להתייחס לנערותים אחרותים בנושא, וגם הפנייה למקורות עזרה (כולל לנוער להטבפא״ק, נוער עם מוגבלות ועוד), ואני חושבת שזה החלק שהכי שימח אותי (עד כמה שספר כזה יכול לשמח) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence

booksanna's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I read the visual novel, but still felt the need to write a review on this extraordinary book. As a teacher I felt the book was very realistic and true, it just felt like a life instead of a book. You see Melinda heal and grow herself throughout the book. I remember when she opened the window and started healing. The imagery and figurative language in this book paints a real and emotional picture of a teenager after traumatic event. I love the art teacher and loved his side of the story. This book teaches that sometimes actions speak more than words. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Dysphoria

GRAPHIC MENTIONS OF RAPE HAS MULTIPLE TRIGGERS