Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

77 reviews

swanny_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

I was in tears by page 48.

"but there is something about the words learn and teach, something to remember about being punished severely, but he doesn't recall what it is - only a thin white hand upraised, hitting him to make him learn something he couldn't understand"

, it's a really difficult read, especially if you've had any childhood trauma, the way that Keyes articulates the emotional pain that comes from not learning in the neurotypical way, and the feelings of confusion and shame that come with it is rough. 

It is a really great story, and helped me appreciate myself more and what I love doing. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

lizdon's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content

Moderate: Sexual content, Excrement, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship

stargirlmolly's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Dementia, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment

Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, and Grief

caseyjayner's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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

4.75

I really loved and appreciated much of this, especially for it’s time.  I mostly read contemporary lit so I had to get used to outdated language and misogyny throughout, but when I set that aside I see this is a book arguing for the personhood of intellectually disabled people.  The main character is complex- both likable and self-centered and traumatized by physical and emotional abuse.  I didn’t like the end, but the last couple lines were more hopeful than the rest of the end. 

Easy words, tough read.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Misogyny and Sexism

tungstenmouse's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Certain sentences haven’t aged well but this was excellent. I’m very sad but also very happy I read it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Dementia, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, and Medical content

It’s an older book so expect language and character attitudes that are not okay now.

leeyongjin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content

kather_doc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Excrement, and Abandonment

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Dementia, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content

tallnecked_pancakeface's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

bookbean92's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

luckyone's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-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? It's complicated

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Classism

Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Dementia, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism