Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Normal People by Sally Rooney

116 reviews

pageafter_paige's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-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? Yes

5.0

I truely loved this book so much. I liked the unique writing style and I found the characters very loves me. I was rooting for Marianne and Connell the entire time as the grew up together. This book break my heart in many pieces but that just shows how invested I was. I can’t believe I hadn’t read this sooner. This book is definitely one worth the hype! 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

mreads29's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

1.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment

gracemwigley's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

bellaguiliano's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Self harm, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

graysonreadstoomuch's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Minor: Self harm

mazkar's review against another edition

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

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

5.0

I wish I had read Normal People when it first came out. I really, really hope more people read this book and appreciate the fantastic writing of Sally Rooney, as the books bring you close to the everyday existence of our complex and abnormal world. In order to understand why things are the way they are. In this story, we follow Connell and Marianne, who are in high school together, and their relationship. Their relationship is very complex, and I appreciate the way they maintain friendship while living different lives. 

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/hoftyQfCNHWeqhsZQb/giphy.gif">

Throughout her book, Sally Rooney shows how our world has changed over the years. History repeats itself in a variety of things we do, our political beliefs, and our thoughts on how capitalism and communism can make a larger impact. Taking such a bold stand in a young adult book is a remarkable achievement, and she does it in a very polite and simple manner. It was extremely touching for me to read about Conell's depression and therapy session, as it is hard for many men to admit they suffer from depression and seek out treatment. Marriane also faces mental and physical abuse from her brother and other relationships outside Conell, which I also found to be a very moving story. The author is really good at demonstrating the gray side of what her characters are going through and how they are reliant upon each other in both the good and bad times.  

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/OtNdXFIHx759p4enBX/giphy-downsized-large.gif">
Some quotes from this book really stood out to me, and I have no intention of getting rid of them.

“I'm not a religious person but I do sometimes think God made you for me.”

“Life offers up these moments of joy despite everything,”

“Most people go through their whole lives, without ever really feeling that close with anyone.”

<img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/fqJUvyTXcEf41LTt0d/giphy-downsized-large.gif">

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this novel. It encompasses all the things that make YA so successful. I also watched Sally Rooney's interviews on writing and communism, and I liked how open she is about her thought process. I'm excited to read more of her books.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Self harm

tkibbee17's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

allouise's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

sandysmith's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.25

I liked this book, but I found the lack of punctuation annoying and at times confusing, mainly concerning whether they were talking to each other or whether they are analysing what each other has said. The main characters are Marianne and Connell and their relationship,  at times i wanted to shout at them just talk to each other.  I felt the ending was unsatisfactory. But the book was beautifully written and it certainly wasn't a DNF and even if the plot didn't go anywhere you just wanted and were compelled to keep reading. A thought provoking read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism

dearbhlaq's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Violence, and Alcohol

Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Sexual harassment