Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Swimming Home by Deborah Levy

7 reviews

zoealicem's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Animal death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, and Suicide

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Forced institutionalization

this was a strange book. at first i thought that the weirdly written characters were unintentional, but now i disagree. i think that there was some beautiful dialogue and descriptions in here as well. my main issue was just how confused i was all the time. i was so anxious trying to see how the ending would play out, and when it did, i was just a bit let down and more confused. it’s a gripping easy read with some interesting character studies. i wish we could have actually read the poems referred to so many times. however i thought the character of kitty finch was brilliant and i just wanted more and more scenes with her in it.

mj_86's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Eating disorder

cecereads__'s review against another edition

4.25

Deborah Levy does subtlety really well. She’s quite the master of it imo, and she especially knows how to do it mixed with the unexpected which is a contradiction in a way but that’s what’s accomplished. The way the story weaves things and personalities and “destinies” together in a cryptic but clear way makes for a very interesting read. The story takes place during a week of summer vacation so physically (location) we stay somewhat still, but mentally in terms of growth is where all the change and chain-reactions happen.
I almost wanted to know more and explore the characters and their connection further but it wasn’t what the story was about or what the story was “meant” to give it’s reader - but I didn’t feel like it was missing, if that makes sense, I knew that it was supposed to be the way it is where we simply know most characters in the periphery (as much as you would know someone during the span of a week).

I found the last chapter - 17 years after the week in France -  quite intriguing as it was the most subtle and unexpected in a way. As if the week wasn’t that big a deal or that life-altering even though it was; the ambivalence of it while speaking as if it was any other “random” week from the past as in “oh yeah, by the way…” - idk. But that’s just my initial take on it

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol

triple_m's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

A short read and weird storyline that kept me engaged. I thought this book was good but I don’t really feel like I understood it. I don’t have any strong feelings about it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Blood

elmo_isoutside's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

hollsbookshelf's review against another edition

reflective sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Forced institutionalization

lleullawgyffes's review against another edition

dark sad fast-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Forced institutionalization