Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Inden vi blev jeres by Lisa Wingate

164 reviews

klint's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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uncle_dunc's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative 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? No

4.5

Man this was  depressing as hell. I had no idea this was based on true events, I’m shocked, what an awful time. 
Really nicely written though, very good read, even if it was dark and depressing 90% of the time.
The romance with
Trent
felt a little unnecessary/unrelated, but also it was just about the only uplifting part of this book so maybe that was the important role it played hahaha
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megan_george's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? N/A

4.0

I really enjoyed this. The realistic look into some of the horrors of these children’s homes was eye opening and sickening at a lot of times. I’m glad I got to experience this story and I’m able to share it with others.
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smith2ds's review against another edition

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4.5

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isabelmargetts's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.25

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jevette15's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.25

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sjanke2's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-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? No

2.75

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abbyynormal's review against another edition

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I am not emotionally prepared to finish this book, but I will be some day. 
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avialia's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

The book draws from the real-life horrors of the Tennessee Children's Home Society, where children were kidnapped and sold to wealthy families in the 1930s and 1940s. The story is told through two parallel timelines: one following Rill Foss, a young girl whose life is torn apart when she and her siblings are taken from their riverboat home, and the other centred on Avery Stafford, a present-day lawyer who begins to uncover her family’s long-buried secrets.

Wingate excels in creating a haunting atmosphere that captures the reader's attention from the very first page. The portrayal of Rill's ordeal is heart-wrenching and emotionally charged, making it impossible not to sympathise with her plight. The historical aspect of the novel is well-researched, providing a grim reminder of a dark chapter in American history that is not widely known.

However, while the historical narrative is compelling, the contemporary storyline is less engaging. Avery’s character feels somewhat underdeveloped, and her personal struggles seem trivial compared to the harrowing experiences of Rill and her siblings. This disparity between the two timelines weakens the overall impact of the novel, as the modern-day narrative often feels like an unnecessary distraction from the more gripping historical plot.

Another point of contention is the pacing. The novel starts strong, but the momentum begins to wane as it progresses, particularly in the middle sections. Some parts of the story feel repetitive, and the resolution, while satisfying, is somewhat predictable.

Despite these flaws, "Before We Were Yours" is a powerful read that sheds light on a disturbing piece of history. Wingate’s writing is vivid and evocative, and the novel's emotional depth will resonate with readers who enjoy historical fiction. However, the uneven pacing and the less compelling contemporary storyline prevent it from being a truly outstanding work.

In conclusion, "Before We Were Yours" is a solid read, particularly for those interested in historical fiction, but it falls short of being a masterpiece. It's a book that lingers in your thoughts, but the imbalance between the two narratives keeps it from reaching its full potential. Hence, a 3.5-star rating feels appropriate for this emotional yet uneven novel. 
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drexrode's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

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