Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

82 reviews

oonawoodbury's review against another edition

The overall story was interesting but there is so much misogyny in this book! Not saying it’s necessarily supported by the narrative or the author but it’s everywhere. I really wish it wasn’t so I could enjoy this book :( 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Racism

meguniqueuser's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

1.5

Very melodramatic. The main character Daniel is overly emotional and falls in love with almost every woman he meets and they in turn are charmed by him. 

Every woman falls madly in love with Julian and is obsessed with him.
The criticisms that are thrown at romantic novels by female authors all apply here. 

While the writing is poetic and evocative, the story lacks much meaning. Yet the author upholds the plot like it is the most sacred of texts. Maybe it was the audio I listened to with piano interludes that made it even more overdramatic. 

Perhaps if you enjoy gloomy mellow drama you might enjoy this, but I don’t. I especially didn't like that the author describes women as sexual objects, plot devices, or the butt of jokes. 

There are so many endings and epilogues, it was worst than the last Lord of the Rings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Police brutality

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Sexism, and Sexual content

br3adstick's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? N/A

5.0

shadow of the wind is a beautifully written story with quotes that resonate, and a plot that keeps you turning page after page.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Incest

Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol, and War

bxnnny's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious 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 book was such a pleasant surprise. i wasn't really thinking i would like it all that much as i'm not really one for period pieces and i was worried it would drag. it was a little on the slow and steady side, but i was so enthralled in the story of julían and daniel that i honestly had a hard time putting it down. the characters were so well-written and believable and i enjoyed seeing the mystery of julían carax interspersed with daniel's own parallel story. i felt so attached to so many of these characters. this story really tugged at my heart and it'll be one that will stick with me for a long, long time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual harassment

Minor: Murder and War

corrin_takara's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

At times was a struggle to read partly because of the slow pace as well as a long list of possible triggering topics which lead to hard to read passages. Picked up towards the end and grabbed my attention with a satisfying twist 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Murder, War, and Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Dementia, and Fire/Fire injury

readandfindout's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

3.5

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 3 stars
Characters: 2 stars
Plot: 4.5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and War

Minor: Excrement and Death of parent

feodora's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault

seasonedreadings's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

Minor: Homophobia, Incest, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Abortion, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

breadwitchery's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Misogyny

Moderate: Confinement, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Racial slurs, Pregnancy, and War

cass_lit's review against another edition

4.0

I think I overhyped this in my head, unfortunately. While it’s still a 4⭐️ primarily because of the feat it is to write so many plot lines and books within books, my enjoyment during it was just *fine.* One thing that kept coming back to irk me were the romantic relationships — I didn’t buy into any of them enough for how much they completely controlled where this story went. I know Daniel started out young in the beginning of the book, but even towards the end, I can’t tell you how many times I rolled my eyes at him. As Isaac Monfort says, Daniel is an idiot for most of this long book. 

For all of my complaints, however, I was still impressed by this. I loved the writing style, the discussions on books and what they mean to each person, and the stories within stories within stories. After the first few chapters, I wondered how everything would come together without it feeling almost too fantastical. But it did. And the last ~10% or so when everything came out / came together? I literally gasped at 👀that👀 reveal. 

Also — the audiobook is great! There are fun little interludes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Police brutality

Moderate: Bullying, Hate crime, Incest, Rape, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent