Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker

8 reviews

womangenius's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

Extremely accurate depiction of what it's like to be an melancholy young girl who feels she doesn't fit in...but there's a lot of those books. It didn't give me much else to chew on. I would definitely have recommended this to a younger me. The moody Scottish Highlands setting was beautifully rendered, and adds to the whole Gothic affair. Definitely is a modern Gothic classic as advertised, if you are searching for such a vibe, you'll find it here (mid century modern, anyway). 

I don't understand why Janet died except in a figurative sense - the curmudgeonly old groundskeeper, symbol of old patriarchal Scottish society, snuffing out the young rebellious girl the exact moment she seizes some semblance of freedom. I can appreciate it in that sense but I'm just someone who prefers the events of a novel to also be grounded in a reality whose machinations have a logic to them, and Jim's random act of violence made no sense to me. "that's the point, killing her is as inconsequential to him as the rabbits he butchers for dinner☝️" Okay I don't care for me it's a three star book. Because it makes sense to butcher rabbits for dinner. Theyre not having Janet for dinner except metaphorically, as fodder for their endless snarking gossip.

However, I can see why it's so adored and it has a chance to grow on me if I stop worrying so much about realism.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, and War

thatchickengirl23's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Alcohol

readsbymoonlight's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Sexism

Minor: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War

mynameisrebecca's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Mental illness

thearchivist03's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

This coming of age tale is really dark, but it's reflective. I wish the author hadn't spoiled that the main character is dead in the first few pages as I think it took away from the surprise at the end when you learn of the truth behind the murder mystery.
That being said, the prose was so beautiful. This was excellently written out, scenery and Janet'  character and her inner monologues were spelled out perfectly in feeling and in words. I wish the plot had more to it, but it does follow a person's life, which doesn't give room to be creative. It was very linear storytelling, very static, and I think that's what threw me off personally. The ending and moral of this story is dark, but it does make me think and wonder of the existence and societal responsibilities placed on children, especially the eldest. Very tragic tale, not too enjoyable and lighthearted, but thought provoking. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Toxic relationship and War

feelinwitchy's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• 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: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Blood

Minor: Genocide, Vomit, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and War

emilo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexism, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Racial slurs

toffishay's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I really felt for Janet, felt connected to her. The book starts at the end and then moves backwards. You know how the story ends up for Janet. In a way, she knows this too. But watching her grow up and grow against a world that doesn't even try to understand her, that pushes her down and hurts her, is no less tactile because we know that she won't escape. Or she does, in her own way, but through the actions of others. The writing style is absolutely stunning. The descriptions of her home are so beautiful, even as the settings are tense and breaking down, and horrific. It felt like an honor to read about Janet's life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Murder

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Vomit

Minor: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail