Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Speak

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

98 reviews

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

author2223's review against another edition

5.0

challenging sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

k2threads's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective sad 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: Yes

Such a simple but enjoyable read. The writing style is easily accessible and hooking with an important plot. The more you read the more you begin to understand the character’s past and the reason for her muteness. Super book, would deffo reread.

Content Warnings