Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

147 reviews

livlaughlit's review

medium-paced

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

2.0

I was intrigued to read this book, as I’d heard practically nothing but rave reviews, but sadly this missed the mark for me.

I thought the writing style was somewhat unsophisticated and repetitive, with Hannah often implying something and then immediately clarifying what she meant, just in case we hadn’t picked up on the nuance. Regardless, the pervasive anachronisms were the real bug-bear for me. On every other page, there was an error that made me roll my eyes (oral antibiotics? A Flemish farmer smoking like a true Frenchman? The flippant mention of concentration camps on official warnings?). This read as Historical Fanfiction, rather than a well-researched piece of Historical Fiction. It was also extremely forgiving of Vichy France’s passing antisemitic legislation independently of Nazi requirements.  

Too often, the characters were reduced to flat stereotypes, and the development of the romantic plots were poorly paced (especially between Isabelle and Gaetan). I was also unconvinced by Isabelle and Vianne’s relationship, which seemed not to develop much at all.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, War, Xenophobia, Child death, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Torture, Misogyny, Death, Sexism, and Sexual violence

Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, and Miscarriage

ldod's review

emotional informative inspiring sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Terminal illness, Torture, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Cancer, Rape, War, Misogyny, Infertility, Murder, Grief, Genocide, Death of parent, and Child death

kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book devastated me. The plot is so intricately woven together, the female protagonists are both incredibly brave and interesting, the historical pieces are flawlessly researched and rendered. I hadn’t considered the war from this many perspectives or through the different scenarios that unfolded in the course of this novel. I wept for the bravery, the sacrifice, and the love that encompassed WW2 and that this novel highlights. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Cancer, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Bullying, Kidnapping, Medical content, Torture, Blood, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Infertility, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, War, and Pregnancy

faeraebae91's review

dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Racism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, War, Rape, and Gun violence

beepblorb's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

fdoubledashx's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

why my sweet isabelle :((

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Murder, War, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Abandonment and Miscarriage

Minor: Terminal illness

kaylokay_'s review

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, War, Death of parent, Genocide, Gun violence, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Ableism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Grief, Rape, Antisemitism, Biphobia, Child death, Confinement, Death, Deportation, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Cancer

pazb85's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence

meaganb914's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Rape, Violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Grief, Torture, Child death, Death of parent, Excrement, Gun violence, Racism, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, War, Deportation, Death, Genocide, and Sexual violence

passionatereader78's review

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This was an emotional read. Two sisters doing what they think is right to get through the war. One trying to save children and living with the enemy. The other joining the resistance and rescuing pilots.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, Genocide, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, War, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Classism, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Violence, Body shaming, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Racism

Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, Cancer, Police brutality, Murder, Grief, Infidelity, Medical trauma, and Toxic friendship