Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell

4 reviews

delinxw's review

4.5

I really liked this book. It’s unusual and haven’t read a story like this before. It’s not for the faint of heart since it’s very descriptive about some horrible things. The story had a few good plot points I didn’t expect, even the ending was something I hadn’t expected. I liked reading from all 3 perspectives, even if I didn’t understand the slang sometimes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

unavezmas's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-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

4.0

"Children deserve to be loved and of you can't love them you can't have them".

Disclaimer: the dog is fine.

"Even though I have straight As, the smell of tobacco on my breath and an obvious lack of innocence gives themselves permission to shake their heads in dismay, as if disappointed and failure is a destiny I can't avoid".

©Marnie

The book starts with Nelly (12, probably neirodivergent) and Marnie (15) burring their parents in the backyard because they don't want Social Services to come. And as person who has way more experience with them then she'd liked I could certainly understand that. Nobody cared when their parents spend all their money on drugs and alcohol. Nobody cares that their granddad is abusive and sometimes violent because he's their relative. Meanwhile Lennie who cares for them and helps them in any way he can is not good enough. Don't get me started on the topic.

And neughbor next door Lennie who just lost the man he loved helps them. A lot. It's so heartbreaking to watch how the girls aren't used to being cared for. They don't know how to react.

There's also Kimbo and the only ones surprised by her coming out as lesbian are her parents. And she's diagnosed with bipolar disorder and everyone prefers her medicated lol. There's an entire side story involving her and Susie.

I really wanted for kick that bastard their granddad. Like I mean he never cared about his daughter (girls' mom) while she was alive  but NOW he wants to make amends and he want to "help" the girls and won't hear no for an answer. Also he's abusive and homophobic (anyone surprised by that?)

If you wanna read it please check TWs beforehand. It's a book about poor people doing what they can to survive.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Homophobia and Xenophobia

book_garden's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Alcoholism and Drug use

brookeandbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, and Child abuse