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fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve read Roxane Gay’s before. I know from her other books the traumas she’s shared, and the whole time, it felt like she might’ve been working through some of her own trauma. It was impossible to read the book without feeling compassion and sorrow for her. It was equal parts deeply emotionally brutal to read as well as beautiful to see how Mirielle mends her way back to life. And other than Michael, Glen, and Victor, I think I hated every man in the book. In the end, I closed the book full of hope for her (both Mirielle and for the author) and grateful to Lorraine and Mona.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
taylorlanxon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
randomkatisms's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
stabilesero's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am so thankful for finding this gem; it isn't something I would have picked up on blurb alone.
There are heavy topics through-out, so be warned; kidnap, sexual assault, physical assault are present throughout this book, and yes, you may need a hot bath at several stages to cleanse what you have read but this is reality. This is a raw, unglamorous account of what happens around the world to many women. Too many women.
I finished it, and want to read it again. There are very few books that reach these depths of emotion, and can connect with women, with humans, with anyone who knows the horrors that could lurk around the corner.
I am speechless, and I will forever recommend this book to anyone who dares to read it.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Sexual harassment
emzireads's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
ulalu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
chloejoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
fsprouls's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
reebuttercup's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
However, very few reviewers include "hopeful" as a mood for this book. Even though I understand why, I could not help but feel the hope in Mireille (the kidnapped protagonist). She herself thinks that she is giving up but every step of the way she makes decisions that increase her chances of going back to her family. I do not think this is a spoiler (after all we are told from the beginning that there is an "after") and I feel it needs to be highlighted for readers who might shy away from reading this book because of the difficult issues mentioned.
This is ultimately about finding mental gumption in the face of the extreme adversity and Roxane Gay handled it masterfully.
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping