Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

411 reviews

rowmama's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book made me cry, laugh, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, and Racism

diana311's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Grief, Suicide attempt, Blood, Racial slurs, Slavery, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

vivelarevolution's review against another edition

dark informative tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book is incredibly dark and heavy; I wouldn't advise reading it without first checking out the trigger warnings. That aside, Butler is an incredible writer with a transportive voice and engaging writing style. Everything that happens in this book feels almost real; she manages to make a history that is often taught in a remote and distant way feel visceral and present. Much of the message of the book seems to be a direct response to people who talk about enslaved people with apathy, pity, or derision. Butler examines the ways in which white people at the time talked themselves out of seeing Black peoples' humanity, and the complex and fucked up relationships that existed between Black and white people as a result.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Blood, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Suicide, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Murder, Medical trauma, Rape, Slavery, Pregnancy, Racism, and Suicide attempt

anxiousshorebird's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-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

Speculative historical fiction perfected. This was a gripping read and a sobering window into the shameful past of the U.S. It was also inspirational and heart warming. I think this should be required reading. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Self harm, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Racism, Violence, Racial slurs, and Death

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Sexual violence

Minor: Rape

jojoana's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Slavery, Racism, Racial slurs, and Rape

jluv1220's review

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Racial slurs, and Rape

st_ella_r's review

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, and Violence

Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Suicide

Minor: Blood, Child death, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Vomit

leadabird's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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? No

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Grief, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Racism, Sexual violence, Sexism, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Rape

elliotyork's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Self harm and Sexism

Minor: Animal cruelty

proftoddreads's review

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

Synopsis

Easily one of the best, most impactful novels I’ve read this year. Kindred follows main character Dana, a Black woman just starting her career as a writer in California in the late 1970s, who travels back in time to a plantation in 1815 where she must save Rufus, the son of a white slave owner, from drowning. This becomes the first in a series of time traveling events for Dana, each one tied to a moment in time when Rufus’ life is in danger. Dana quickly discovers Rufus is one of her ancestors, meaning her own existence is tied to her ability to keep Rufus alive. As Rufus grows into an adult and becomes increasingly more corrupted by the time period and system of slavery he lives in, Dana struggles more and more with the moral dilemma of keeping him alive.

Analysis

Through Dana we see not only the visceral horrors of slavery, but also the ways in which racism and slavery as systems of oppression destroy everyone they touch, even the white slave owners. Butler complicates our feelings by providing white slave owners who have moments of goodness, perhaps even kindness, and juxtaposing those scenes with the gruesome cruelty they inflict upon their slaves. Slavery is a system that corrupts absolutely, Butler shows us. No one and nothing can flourish within it. Love, family, and friendship are all ultimately destroyed. 

Review

Though this novel was written and set in the 1970s, its messages about racism and the power of our history and past on the present remain relevant today. Butler demonstrates the impact of generational trauma; the ease with which we, as a nation, can be easily pulled back into old systems and patterns of racism, despite our belief that we have progressed beyond them; and the importance of understanding how pervasive the legacy of slavery is on every facet of our nation still today. 

This is not an easy read (please check trigger warnings), but the experience is well worth it. The writing and characters are so impactful and moving, the themes and messages so powerful, it’s easy to see why this is one of Butter’s most celebrated works.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, and Sexual violence