Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber

5 reviews

thereadingsparrow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Sexual content, and Trafficking

Moderate: Violence, Death, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Excrement, Vomit, Misogyny, and Classism

Minor: Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol

acoffeeandagoodbook's review

challenging slow-paced

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

4.75

What a ride this book is! The narrative style, addressing the reader directly at times, is such a fun device, echoing popular novels from the time the book is set, and of course, the literary attempts of the main characters. 

Faber interweaves the lives of his cast of characters until even the seemingly side parts become incredibly important. From the protagonist, Sugar, to the Rackham's housemaid, each character is carefully crafted and fully fleshed out. 

The sheer length of this book could be daunting for some, but the richly-drawn characters hold your attention all the way through.  The story moves between Sugar and her benefactor, William Rackham, to other members of the Rackham family, including William's troubled wife and brother, and back again. This helps to keep things moving and prevents burnout, which can happen with such a tome. 

The ending is not universally loved. If you need an ending that neatly ties everything into a bow, you'll be disappointed. Instead, after a series of surprise twists and turns, the reader is left with plenty of questions about what really happened. This isn't for everyone, but I loved it. Life isn't neat and doesn't give all the answers we might want, and neither does this book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Child abuse, Abortion, Death, and Rape

Minor: Trafficking and Pedophilia

plbennett's review

challenging informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Abortion, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Infidelity, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

jennaseafuse's review

medium-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion

the_freya's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Racial slurs, Abortion, Death, and Eating disorder

Minor: Pedophilia