Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

222 reviews

alexandrasavescu's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

rowy148's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, Sexism, Classism, Pregnancy, Rape, Confinement, and Suicide

aneal03's review against another edition

It was EXTREMELY upsetting to me. Very powerful and well written, I just could not finish it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual content

ieotter13'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

this book has been on my TBR list for a while and it was definitely something I’m glad I read - all criticism of the book (diversity, etc) is extremely valid, but Atwood is still able to write a compelling story that in some ways seems not too far off from our current political system. i listened to this book via audiobook and given the “historical notes” at the end it actually felt more accurate to the story to read it that way. regardless, worth the read! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Infidelity, Death, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Infertility, Genocide, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Racism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Pregnancy, Suicide, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Antisemitism

frenandjen's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence

Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Genocide, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

clarice_curtinhas's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

A classic. The ending is my favorite part, so if you're thinking of giving it up, take a shot in ending it, even if is just to analyse that final part.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Misogyny, Infertility, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

sav_22's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Oddly, I did not feel as strongly for this as I did the show adaptation. I feel like it wasn’t as easy to connect to the story as much. Pacing was quick and it left you feeling hollow and sad; this was likely the point, but it didn’t really have any development other than world-building. this has a nihilistic perspective, which can be more impactful for the message depending on how you go into it.

the show covers this entirely in just season 1, except a few passages here and there. The show explores this concept far more deeply and gives Offred more depth and personhood. Her real name is never mentioned in the book, as the show takes many creative liberties to explore the concept more.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Blood, Body shaming, Sexual violence, and Slavery

Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Infertility, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Self harm, Abandonment, and Ableism

readerorwateva's review against another edition

dark 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Violence, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Alcohol, Animal death, and Death

Moderate: Miscarriage

katieneedstoreadmore's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Rape and Sexual violence

sarahdmt's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

4.5

A lire absolument !
L'histoire est dense et absolument prenante, on ne peut que s'y plonger entièrement, même si l'univers développé est dérangeant et inquiétant. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Suicide

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny