Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

9 reviews

fed's review

dark emotional funny informative reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Bullying, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

joelafond's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow. Just wow. I devoured this book. I was engrossed by every single page. Masterful storytelling. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human. Can’t say enough good things about this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Hate crime, Homophobia, Death, and Drug abuse

caties_books's review

emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Phenomenal! I never knew 900 pages could go so fast 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Classism, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Child abuse, Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Blood, Chronic illness, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Racial slurs

kjan318's review

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-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

5.0

My 1st 5/5 score book of 2023.
This book reminds me of another book, "A Little Life".
Another astonishing story that describes the life of the main character about 70 years long, it reasonably convinced me how we as humans could be influenced significantly and grow differently by culture, upbringing, and environment. the main takeaways for me after reading this book: 1. distinguish the "impossibility" and "reality", the front can toxicate you if you obsess on it, the latter can nourishing you 2. Don't Lie, be honest to yourself, your life and your surroundings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Homophobia, Murder, Torture, Child death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Violence, Death of parent, and Bullying

leslie_overbookedsocialworker's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Dementia, Chronic illness, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Violence

saestrah's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad slow-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

5.0

Having this book on my TBR list for long enough that I forgot what the book was about, I almost stopped reading this after the end of the first part. To avoid spoilers, it wasn't subject matter I was particularly in the mood to read and it was just before going to bed. But I loved the narration from the first page so I picked it up again over breakfast and couldn't put it down. After staying up until four in the morning to finish it, and writing this after five hours of sleep, I still don't regret my decision.

The Heart's Invisible Furies is incredibly moving, with each chapter narrating Cycil's life in seven year increments. Despite the hardship of his life, from growing up gay in Ireland in the 40s to the AIDs pandemic in the 80s, Cycil's narration is incredibly funny. Often blinded by his own emotions, it's easy to get swept up in his struggles through relationships and identity, that when revelations come to life I was as shocked as he was. The plot had predictable moments with threads of coincidences too good to be true weaving throughout the story, but it's something that doesn't deminish how much I loved this book.

If you can give yourself enough time to read this book in one sitting, I fully recommend it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Dementia, Grief, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

minxtte's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Homophobia

Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Terminal illness

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, Dementia, Drug use, Incest, Infidelity, Murder, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking

elliez's review

emotional funny 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

5.0

This is one of the most brilliant books I have read in a long time. My all-time favorite books have found a new companion. I firmly believe that in the future, this will become a beloved classic. I have no doubt of that. It is a masterpiece.

Masterfully written, the author created a character so lovely and realistic, with both flaws and endearing qualities that any regular human embodies, that I could not help but care about this person. I wanted to go on his life journey with him, because I cared about what happened to him. The only regret I have about this book is that I didn't read it sooner. This book will be proudly displayed on my bookshelf and loved for years to come.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, and Violence

jeannelovesbooks's review

dark emotional funny inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Book of the year. John Boyne possesses an extraordinary ability to write about prejudice and heartbreak whilst shining a light on the absurd comedy that characterises life. From the appalling and hilarious opening scene, to the closing words I roared with laughter and tears. A beautiful story populated with unforgettable characters. In saying goodbye to Cyril Avery it feels like I've lost a good friend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Death, and Violence