Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

When We Were Sisters by Fatimah Asghar

43 reviews

kshertz's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This was a heartbreaking story of three sisters told through the quietest one. The one who feels they don’t quite fit in. It was beautifully haunting and heartbreaking. The storytelling method was not one I was used to but still thought was very intentional and well done. I just wanted it to be longer and tell more of their adult lives 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

marleefayek's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.5

This is such a beautifully written story, the words almost like poetry. The author uses strong imagery, and metaphor -- it's moving, powerful and poetic. The title matches the story very elegantly. The main character goes on a bit of a coming of age journey, but it doesn't feel cliche or done before-- very original, compelling, heartfelt and bittersweet. I loved seeing the world through their eyes. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse

Moderate: Death, Rape, Violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

cheesepuppy's review against another edition

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Death of parent

kateped's review against another edition

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual assault

siriface's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

jennikreads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault

Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment

kelsee28's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Domestic abuse and Violence

awebofstories's review against another edition

dark emotional sad

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

4.0

Grade: A
 
Gorgeous, lyrical writing, and this book is now stuck in my heart.  I can't wait to discuss this with my book group.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Abandonment

estam1's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism

jayisreading's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Both tender and heartbreaking, Asghar shares a story of three orphaned siblings processing their grief while taking care of one another as they grow up. When We Were Sisters is told from the perspective of the youngest sibling, Kausar, and while I enjoyed the story, I wish we could have gotten the perspectives of the older sisters as well, Aisha and Noreen. I also wish more could have been said about gender, which was just barely explored (though I think you could say that to be the case for a lot of other themes that appeared in this book).

Something outstanding about this book is the lyricism and creative approach to storytelling. Asghar’s writing style demonstrates that they put a considerable amount of thought into every word in order to create beautiful moments throughout the book. But, again, I wish some of the themes that were brought up (e.g., gender, religion, sibling relationships, etc.) were explored more in depth, even if it meant sacrificing some of the beautiful writing. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Islamophobia