Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Der Distelfink by Donna Tartt

152 reviews

amyicable's review against another edition

challenging dark informative 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

hgraham98's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

mialola's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Gun violence

eef_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

supermandireader's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship

alexandrabelze'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ignore how long it took me to read this 😍 but, lord have mercy, donna tartt has yet to disappoint!!! though it did kinda slow down a little near the end, there was not a single moment throughout this book where she didn’t have me hooked. from start to finish, i had no clue where we were going but i enjoyed the ride! donna tartt’s writing style is unmatched. of course, i have to applaud her attention to detail; from furniture making to the fine arts, she made sure what she wrote was fact. and the way she makes characters feel so real and alive is insane! boris is probably my favorite of all the characters, along with theo’s mother. finishing this makes me want to reread a secret history T-T

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Murder

hdoomk's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

shaleen64's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

At nearly 900 pages it’s a book that requires dedication and is not for the casual reader. The story itself could have been told in half the number of pages, however, the value of this book comes from is detailed descriptions of the characters, their lives and what has shaped them into the people they are. 

There are several unexpected moments that will leave you shocked, saddened and hopeful. Even with its length I always found myself engaged and keen to read on, but can see how for others it would be too slow paced and a drag to continue. However, the book is beautifully written and is real food for thought (especially the final few pages). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Vomit

lmilfort's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced

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

5.0

[follows a man who loses his mom in a museum explosion at 13 and he becomes obsessed with an painting that they saw together in the exhibit] really like the story and the characters, Boris and Mr. Hobart are my personal favorites. Really nihilistic basically up until the last few pages 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Abandonment

wesleyreads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

4.25

Very original story, written very well (amazing atmospheric descriptions), gripping, it leaves you wanting more. I love the themes (guilt, grief, what's right and wrong, does such a thing as fate exist?), the symbolism, the way the characters all contrast each other and all serve to offer another perspective on the themes. There is just so much to unpack...

There was just one section of the book I found boring and I felt the character was wallowing in self-pity with not much going on for a while. Luckily the pace quickly picked up again. The end fell a bit flat, but I guess it was a choice lol.

I don't understand why so few people mention this but unfortunately there are a lot of racial stereotypes being portrayed. Any character who isn't American is basically a stereotype of their culture and even their dialogue is written in heavy accents, which I found unnecessary. As if as a rule immigrants can't learn to speak English well? For example, all Russian characters have the exact same voice and similar personalities. I would rate it higher, if it had been less obnoxious with that. 

Also, given its widespread success, the number of people involved in writing this book, and many reprints I found it surprising that there were several mistakes made when the author was trying to write Dutch words. 

Overall, a very amusing read that leaves you thinking about what it all meant, but be prepared for racism...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Death of parent

Moderate: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Racial slurs and Racism