Reviews with content warning for Grief - Speak

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

12 reviews

dismeria's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

gr3yyvi's review against another edition

4.25

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Content Warnings

mediabymoon's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Read the book like most people my age, (millennial), around middle school. It was actually required reading by my school which was pretty progressive for the time/area I grew up in. The main character touched my heart so devastatingly, because I too had gone through the sort of trauma she ensures, and had little support of friends and community. Even in my mid 30s, this book still resonates. The movie adaption was phenomenal too, and an early peek into the falseness of Kristen Stewart. Would absolutely recommend this book this all teenagers.

Content Warnings

callmemommaorgma's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

This story is almost a mirror to my freshman year of High School. Different cast of characters, not the same situation and her resolution began much sooner than mine. This book is a must read for woman, especially women that were SA in their youth. We felt so alone at the time, little did we realize we were one of many. I am almost 46yrs old and just reading this now has helped that 14yr girl I once was.

Content Warnings

bourbonsot's review against another edition

4.0

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I’ve read Speak multiple times, I found it originally at the age of 12 and connected with it so intensely. When I first read the book I read it in one sitting, cover to cover. While it’s not a groundbreaking book about sexual assault, it still portrays incredibly important and relatable themes and plots revolving around sexual assault, especially for a child. I will admit due to my own experiences I hold a heavy bias about this book, due to my connection to it during confusing and troubling times in my life, but I would still recommend it to anybody who would be willing to read it. While it is simple and straightforward, it is also raw, emotional, relatable, and had a way of making me not feel like a freak in my youth. And while some reviews may say it’s a bit bland or childish, it’s really just a more accurate depiction of reactions to traumatizing events. If it’s ‘childish’ that is because the MC and victim is herself a child, and while sometimes on the nose, I feel this book hit the nail on the head. If you’re looking for a quick read, or if you are someone who also finds comfort in books and media about grotesque and traumatizing events and characters, I would highly recommend Speak.

Content Warnings

starlightraven's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Content Warnings

melist6's review against another edition

4.0

emotional informative sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

te_ss_i's review against another edition

2.0

dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

hannahhicken's review against another edition

4.0

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

kodi_rae's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful 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: Complicated

My first time rereading this since the first time when I was probably around Melinda’s (the protagonist) age. I remember really liking it then and it’s even more devastating now with time and experience. The claustrophobia of the mind and your own silence.

While I’d like to think society has grown a bit since Speak was first published, I’m glad it still exists and can maybe provide validation and healing to those who need it. Does anyone else remember the movie with a young Kristen Stewart? Maybe I’ll pay that a visit too.

Content Warnings

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