Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

5 reviews

lilybarna's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book takes focus to finish but I found it very worth it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

atalea's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I really didn't like this book. It was extremely slow, barely anything happened, the doctor gave me the creeps, the writing style was awful and this book could have been 200 pages shorter if Grace didn't have to detail every little task she did all day, everyday around the house. When we reached the murder I hoped things would pick up but I was sorely mistaken. This book was unfortunately a waste of my time. 

I read this book immediately after finishing Burial Rites which is also based on true events, about a maid convicted of murder, and whereas I loved that book and started this one in need of similar stories, this book was a huge disappointment. Read Burial Rites, not this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Abortion, and Murder

Moderate: Child death, Sexual content, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

amsswim's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really liked this but boy it was slow. I'd recommend if you are into historical fiction, but this also crosses directly into true crime. Margret Atwood clearly did her research and really brought this story to life. Glad I was finally able to finish it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Miscarriage, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Deportation

rebeccaquinton's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Antisemitism, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

alannah_m's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would! Although it could easily have been a book of half the length I think. I went back and forth with the core mystery throughout the narrative, but I actually spent more time reflecting on Grace's upbringing and her narrative voice, which is really strong. 

Pet Theory for this book: MARY WHITNEY ISN'T REAL

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Medical trauma