Reviews with content warning for Rape - little scratch

Conveyed in a stream of consciousness, Rebecca Watson presents us with a day in life of a woman, capturing just how mundane everyday tasks are, while also diving into the mind of a victim of sexual assault.

This book is REALLY unique. The form itself is creative and challenging, but what it offers is even better. It allowed me to really connect with the story that the character is telling. I read it in one sitting, which seems rather fitting given the book tells a story of day in life.

I think requesting this audiobook was one of my best decisions this year - listening to author herself reading the story exactly how she intended it to sound made an entire experience even more special. I don’t think my mind could have done this book justice, but Rebecca Watson reading it certainly does.

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hayleyc's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

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imaginaryempire's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

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meganmagicmusings's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-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

4.0

*Thank you to Faber & Faber for sending me a copy of Little Scratch in exchange for an honest review*

(TWs: rape, sexual assault, self harm)

Little Scratch is the evocative and emotional gaze into the mind of a young woman over the space of a 24-hour period, after she has been sexually assaulted. We follow her thoughts as she moves through the day, which shifts between mundane normality and the constant reminders by the things around her of what happened. We see how much of her brain this trauma takes up and how often it is triggered, but we also see a young woman trying to understand her place in the world.

This is a dark read at times, and intense always, but it’s also humorous, and the internal monologue of the protagonist is one that is, truly, dripping in wry commentary and enjoyable to read. Her responses to the world around her are relatable and very, very funny.

It’s told in an experimental style, lacking standard formatting and punctuation, with her thoughts taking up the space they need on the page. You can feel her when she’s closed in, and when she’s trying to break out. I know people have found this challenging to read, not just for the subject matter, but for the formatting.

I would really recommend this book if it’s not something that’s going to trigger you. I read it in one day and was blown away by it. It’s available now ✨

Content Warnings

libs's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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amyandbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark fast-paced

4.0

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poursandpages's review against another edition

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sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Little Scratch details every single thought the protagonist has over a single 24 hour period, some time after being raped. It details the wild monotony of her day, while trying to make it to the next. The writing style is incredibly (& intentionally) disjointed, that made it difficult (& again, likely at least somewhat intentionally) hard to follow. I got anxiety just READING her thoughts, & know that is the reality of so many people (myself included, sometimes).

Be prepared to FEEL the anxiety if you want to read this - there is no way around it. If you struggle with severe anxiety or mental health issues, I can see the book being both extremely triggering & extremely relatable.

Content Warnings

connor's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

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