Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn

16 reviews

lucyf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Self harm, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Classism, Murder, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Infertility, and Child abuse

brewsandbooks's review

emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

5.0

I loved this book so much. It was hard to get into because I needed to really sit down and read this book. I sat with the discomfort of watching a woman put herself first over her daughter, and how the trauma can be felt on both sides. Mix that in with the identity growth both women have and their search for fulfillment. This book is interesting and unique. Dennis-Benn is an excellent writer, and I was so glad to finally mark this book of my tbr pile. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship

bookishandlegal's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This is a beautifully written, character driven story about a woman immigrating to the US from Jamaica and the daughter she leaves behind. There is really great, but also somewhat subtle, LGBT rep. The descriptions from both Patsy and Tru of depression are so good and relatable. Even though I don’t have anywhere near the same struggles as either of these characters, the descriptions of darkness hovering over your shoulder and the actions/feelings that come along with it really hit home for me. 

This was a slow paced, primarily character driven story. I usually love character driven stories but parts of this one really dragged for me and it was hard to get into. I think I was in a weird headspace and had I read this at a different time it would have been an easy 5 stars for me. But I found the beginning half of the book really slow and I was finding myself sloughing through it and forcing myself to read it. The chapters generally got shorter after the first third or so of the book and that definitely helped me feel like I was reading faster. The switching perspectives between Patsy and Tru (US and Jamaica) also worked really well and kept the story engaging. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it! Especially for fans of character driven, slower plot stories. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Sexual content

sophieh's review

dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, and Transphobia

Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault

rachaeldamms's review

challenging emotional reflective 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, and Self harm

questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

 This had a slow start but after about 100 pages it really got under my skin, almost without me noticing. The dense description meant the energy of both New York and Pennyfield, Jamaica felt really vivid. All of the characters were complex but I found Patsy in particular really interesting. I was often conflicted about her, rooting for her but also hoping she'd make better decisions for the sake of her daughter Tru. It's a difficult read at times, about poverty, racism, trauma and guilt and ultimately I really appreciated the journey of both Patsy and Tru trying to find happiness against the odds, without compromising who they are. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Self harm

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racism, and Sexual assault