Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Speak

Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

8 reviews

gimmiiie's review against another edition

5.0

emotional 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: 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

im_just_vidu's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

If there's a word I can highly relate to, it would be "silent". I've been the quiet kid throughout my whole life. And also, the outcast. I was not the famous kid or others' favorite one. The only difference between me and Melinda was that I was the nerd and at the top of the class every time. I got good grades, and that's how people knew me. "Quiet nerd" who doesn't speak. Even now, my mom tells me to "speak". When she gets angry and scolds me, she gets tired and tells me "At least argue, so I don't feel bad". Yeah, that's how I am. So I can 100% relate to most of Melinda's story.
When you hit a new point of introversion, you kinda forget how to fight for yourself. You forget how to say "No". So when people come with a plastic smile and ask "can you do this?" you either automatically say yes or say silently that they take it as a "Yes". And that's so sad. Growing up I don't think I've ever had best friends who thought the same way as me. The friends who won't be there anymore when they don't have any use for you anymore. I'm glad that she was not bullied very hard as it happens in most cases. But sometimes not having someone to call your "friend" is also another kind of pain. A pain famous kids might not understand.
I see myself through, Melinda. When she closes a part of her brain because you don't want to feel the way she did, she forgets how to cooperate with things. I think that is what was going through with Melinda as well. And when you have really unsupportive parents who don't even care about you, that's a cherry on top. I liked this story for how relatable it is. How truthful it is.
I hope people won't force others to step out of their comfort zone just because they are quiet or weird. And also I hope everyone gets the courage to speak up for themselves.

Content Warnings

ryan_rajp's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

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

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.

Content Warnings

saralatable's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-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

Content Warnings

cepbreed's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Such a wonderful read, I was so hooked I finished it in one night. I really liked the way the author structures the chapters and gives them all titles of their own. Melinda was a very relatable character, she's human, her actions are frustrating and she's tragic. The reader can't help but want to support her and relate our lives to hers. Somehow the author managed to encompass the high school experience accurately. Teens are caustic and biting but we're all selfish humans. The only reason this isn't a 5/5 is because it was wayyyy too short. I really wanted to see her take her much needed revenge.

Songs:

High - Slow Pulp
Afraid - The Neighborhood

Content Warnings

aremii's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

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