Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

4 reviews

cerysl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• 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

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

leahthebooklover's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad

3.5

Oh Kate Atkinson, you let me down this time. I was really looking forward to reading this book. One of my favorite genres (mystery/detective) by an author I have enjoyed in the past (Life After Life, A God in Ruins) - it should have been a home run. But this was a sad little story full of sad, ruined people. There were four case histories, four mysteries to be solved, and our detective, Jackson Brodie, really only "solved" one of them, maybe two. We learn the truth behind all of the cases, but sometimes the truth is revealed only to the reader, not to the characters in the book. The four cases all involve a sudden, catastrophic loss of a loved one. The losses (murders) all happened in the past, so the loved ones left behind have been bereft for a long time. There were a LOT of characters to keep track of, and some of the plot threads don't seem to make sense at first, but eventually everything falls into place. More than a mystery, this book is an exploration of loss, grief, and depression. There are lighter moments within this heavy context, but for me, they weren't enough to elevate the book to the point I could honestly say that I liked it. I did like the main character, Jackson Brodie. He may not have been the sharpest investigator, but he was very much trying to be a good man. He has plenty of flaws, but it's obvious he cares about others, in his own somewhat cynical way, and he really loves his daughter. I liked him well enough that I may try reading the second book in the series, but I'm not in a big hurry to do so. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder

Minor: Cancer, Suicide, Blood, and Religious bigotry

jadiedaffodil's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Blood, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Incest, Infidelity, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

uranaishi's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Drug use, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infertility, Blood, Abortion, and War