Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

16 reviews

jcinf's review against another edition

funny hopeful fast-paced

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

3.5

Being autistic myself, I searched Reddit forums for books with autistic main characters. That’s where this book came recommended. 

I’m glad I read it because it touched me to read about a character so similar to me. The overstimulation, hyperfixations, looking for order in a chaotic world, safe foods, significant stress when plans change (or when there is no plan). So much of Christopher was so similar to me. It was a gift to see myself represented. 

In terms of pace, the first 2/3 was pretty fast pace, and last 1/3 was a little slower. That said, I did feel like the ending was quite abrupt. I thought I had two more pages left, but it was just the appendix. So once I read the ending, it seemed too quick. I don’t mind the ending itself — as in the resolution. But I do think the resolution could’ve used 4-8 more pages perhaps. 

If you’re looking for a fast read, especially one with a neurodivergent main character, I’d recommend this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Animal death and Toxic relationship

chrisljm's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.0

not a mystery, just mostly about how shitty christopher’s parents are 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Infidelity, Excrement, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Animal death

Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Ableism, Death, Blood, and Cursing

Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, Vomit, and Abandonment

sarahkinney's review against another edition

emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

While in 2003, the book was praised for autistic representation - the author's claim that he did not research the topic while writing the book is apparent while reading. Despite this, the book is an easy read, with a unique writing style and the twist is presented excellently. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity

joygarcialim's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny informative tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness

wentub's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

good book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Ableism, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Infidelity

jeremie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Ableism, and Vomit

Minor: Death of parent and Child abuse

chocolatsalade's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Infidelity

marinapaso11's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Animal death, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Violence

seaschells's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

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

2.0

If you read this book, I hope you find it entertaining, well-paced, and interesting, but it is NOT educational. The only things you’ll learn about autism are stereotypes. Additionally, I’d put a trigger warning on it for parental abuse of their kid. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Animal death

Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Excrement, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, Vomit, Chronic illness, and Blood

mothstrand's review against another edition

mysterious reflective fast-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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, and Animal death

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Excrement, and Infidelity