Reviews tagging 'Torture'

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

12 reviews

bookellys's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

This is an incredible read!

I loved the writing style and how the narration would switch between characters unannounced yet seamless. The inclusion of the Spanish phases were so simple yet gave you that little reminder and a sense of someone’s story being translated for you.

It’s extremely descriptive, I could almost feel the rumble of la bestia beneath me. This also made it a tough read at times, as you get so invested in the characters, some of whom go through unspeakable experiences. 

If you enjoyed (is that the right word for this type of book?) The Beekeeper of Aleppo then I think you’d enjoy this too. For me, this hits the mark whereas The Beekeeper felt like there was something missing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Deportation, Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, and Torture

moniipeters's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Child death, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Deportation, Misogyny, Medical content, Miscarriage, Police brutality, Rape, and Xenophobia

christiansenmy's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Murder, Rape, Torture, Grief, Death, Child death, Deportation, Sexual assault, and Trafficking

aliciaallen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Trafficking, Violence, and Torture

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Miscarriage

thunderbird's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

It's been a long time since I stayed up well past my bedtime to keep reading.  This heartbreaking account of desperation brings home a guttural sense of things I can never fully understand as I read here in my privilege. I hope those who read it can find compassion in their hearts for the reality of the migrant experience. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Murder, Police brutality, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence

jamieholton's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Violence, Rape, and Murder

acerbicread's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.0

The book makes you feel emotional for a lot of reasons, but I understand the "trauma-p*rn" description that professional reviews have given it. 
It's trauma that feels unauthentic. Read a book about immigrating by someone who actually experienced it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Torture, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence

beccadamb's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Stalking, Torture, Trafficking, Violence, and Vomit

_kermode's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective tense 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? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Trafficking, Violence, and Torture

orlagal's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Cancer, Car accident, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pedophilia, Vomit, Violence, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Racism, and Pregnancy