Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

15 reviews

emmawiechs's review

emotional hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Racial slurs

Minor: Alcoholism

rieviolet's review against another edition

challenging 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 was my first proper approach to First Nations literature and it wasn't an easy read by any means, but a vital and eye-opening one.

From a narrative standpoint, I think that Saul's story was very well structured and paced; also, his voice and emotional landscape were explored and captured on the page very vividly and movingly.

The writing is quite understated and matter-of-fact, and while I didn't mind this pared-back style and still found it impactful, it might not click with you if you usually prefer something more flowery and elaborate.

As you progress with the narration, you understand more and more clearly the significant role that hockey plays in Saul's personal journey. Still, I'm not really a sports person and, in all honesty, the parts with more detailed descriptions were not the most interesting to get through.

This is a very heart-wrenching book and it does not shy away from depicting horrific child abuse and its lasting impact or the pervasive societal racism, but it never does so gratuitously. 
Despite all, it still ends on a hopeful note, focusing on the possibility of recovery and the healing force of a supportive community. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, Suicide, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Terminal illness, Abandonment, Blood, Mental illness, and Torture

wifeslife's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Suicide, Death, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Physical abuse

pickett22's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? No

5.0

"They scooped out our insides, Saul. We're not responsible for that."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Addiction, Abandonment, Child abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Murder, Colonisation, Child death, Rape, Racism, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, Grief, Excrement, Death of parent, Death, and Alcohol

sydfreeman's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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: Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Murder, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Racism, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Homophobia

cantfindmybookmark's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Excrement, Sexual assault, Confinement, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Racism, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Suicide, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Torture

Moderate: Abandonment

julienicole1106's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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: Abandonment, Alcohol, Excrement, Grief, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Cultural appropriation, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

gulalei's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Child death, Death of parent, and Suicide

Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Rape, Alcoholism, and Sexual assault

belle2008's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Abandonment, Violence, Addiction, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

litwithnik's review

challenging emotional reflective 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? Yes

4.0

 This is an absolutely powerful story about an Indigenous boy, Saul Indian Horse, growing up and surviving Residential School and how the effects him for the rest of his life. He turns to Hockey to escape the horrors of his reality and it becomes a lifelong passion of his.

Saul's relationship with Hockey is in the forefront of this novel but as you read farther into it and discover more about his life the reason why the game is so important to him becomes very evident. There is also some beautiful scenes of him starting the journey in recapturing his relationship with his Indigenous roots. Especially the parts about Gods Lake.

Trigger Warnings: Residential School, Racism, Sexual Assault, Physical & Emotional Abuse 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault