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Reviews tagging 'Rape'

little scratch by Rebecca Watson

80 reviews

torishams's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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

4.5

 Little Scratch was a standout. It’s written in a stream of consciousness style and takes us inside the mind of the unnamed female narrator over the course of her day - from getting to work, surviving the work day, through to drinks (and more) with her boyfriend in the evening. All the while scratching herself raw. And trying to come to terms with a recent sexual assault. Powerful stuff. And such a unique voice. 
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sabbcm's review against another edition

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

4.5

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wiktoriazupinska's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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readwithchar's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

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alina_bernadette's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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colourbandit's review against another edition

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

5.0

Little Scratch was a really unique book, both in terms of writing style, a constant stream of consciousness inside the narrator’s head through one day, and actual layout, with lots of single word lines and repetitions, etc. It took me a while to get used to with the interruptions in the middle of sentences, and lack of chapters and punctuation, but after a while, the choice to write in this way made a huge amount of sense to me. It was just like my experience of how thoughts happen in my head, with constant interruptions and merging thoughts, so it was a really great choice.

It dealt with some intense and hugely complex issues ranging from self harm and sexual abuse, providing a really poignant example of how significantly these issues influence a person’s life at all hours of the day. It was very hard to read at times, being so all consuming, but a vital look into these issues and just how difficult it can be to speak to others about them, even those you love and are closest to.

I really appreciated the time I spent reading this book and would highly recommend, giving caution to those who are sensitive to issues surrounding self harm and sexual abuse as the descriptions could be fairly graphic and upsetting at times.

Thank you to NetGalley for very kindly sending me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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whatdanireads_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark funny sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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iamivypark's review against another edition

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3.5


Little scratch is a debut novel that spans a single day of an unnamed woman, processing recent sexual trauma. The story line itself is simple and mundane but the protagonist is anxious and distressed. 

I’ve never read a book in this style! 
It is original and experimental with parallel threads of internal monologue running down the page alongside each other. It took me a good 50 pages to work out how to read the words off the page. Sometimes it’s top to bottom and other times it’s across the page.

There’s no chapters and it does feel strange to put down because there really is no natural place to do so. It’s similar to poetry except more disjointed and staccato. I found that reading it slowly didn’t work as well for me as reading it quickly - the words flitting through your mind similar to your train of thought flitting between ideas. 

I would recommend if you’re open to experimental styles of writing!

Trigger warnings ⚠️: rape/sexual assault, anxiety
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kayleyhyde's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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