-
-
About
UnderratedReads is devoted to discovering underrated books and under-represented authors. We highlight hidden gems from around the world–honest reviews only, never pay-to-play.
Tag Archives: family dysfunction
The Cut Line – Carolina Pihelgas (Translated from the Estonian by Darcy Hurford)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Liine, an Estonian woman in her early thirties, just wants to take control of her life in The Cut Line. (more…)Read More →
Posted in Slavic Literature
Tagged abuse, climate change, Estonia, family dysfunction
Comments Off on The Cut Line – Carolina Pihelgas (Translated from the Estonian by Darcy Hurford)
My Bully, My Aunt, and Her Final Gift – Harold Phifer
(Reviewed by JD Jung) Hal endured a tumultuous upbringing under the cruel hand of his Aunt Kathy. While his mother suffered from severe mental illness, it was Aunt Kathy who had to step in to raise him and … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Non-fiction
Tagged abuse, death, family dysfunction, mental illness
Comments Off on My Bully, My Aunt, and Her Final Gift – Harold Phifer
An UnderratedRead Revisited -All Who Wander – Joe Clifford
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “I’ve spent years in therapy pushing dark memories into a black corner where, without light, I though the wild things could not grow. I was wrong. Left alone and ignored, I’ve provided ideal conditions for them to … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged crime fiction, family dysfunction, psychological drama
Comments Off on An UnderratedRead Revisited -All Who Wander – Joe Clifford
All Who Wander – Joe Clifford
(Reviewed by JD Jung) “I’ve spent years in therapy pushing dark memories into a black corner where, without light, I though the wild things could not grow. I was wrong. Left alone and ignored, I’ve provided ideal conditions for them to … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Reviewers' Top Picks
Tagged family dysfunction, psychological drama
Comments Off on All Who Wander – Joe Clifford
All-Night Pharmacy-Ruth Madievsky
(reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “You have no idea what it’s like being your sister. I’ve never had a day of rest in my life. Chasing after you like a dog. Leaving pieces of myself behind. And every time, you … Continue reading
Posted in Modern Literary Fiction
Tagged drug abuse, drug addiction, family, family dysfunction, Judaism, refugees, Soviet Union
Comments Off on All-Night Pharmacy-Ruth Madievsky
An UnderratedRead Revisited: Tard – Del Staecker
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Thou shalt not be a victim, and thou shalt not be a perpetrator. But above all else—thou shalt not be a bystander.” That’s one lesson Richard Bettis learned from Matt. One referred to Matt Mueller … Continue reading
Posted in Revisited
Tagged corruption, crime fiction, downs-syndrome, family dysfunction, fantasy, philosophy, Religion, sociopaths
Comments Off on An UnderratedRead Revisited: Tard – Del Staecker
Trash – Sylvia Aguilar-Zéleny, (translated by JD Pluecker)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Who is the person who makes a life out of our leftovers? And, more specifically, what makes us who we are?” Griselda, a researcher, studies those who inhabit the Juárez city dump. She balances that … Continue reading
Posted in Latin American Literature
Tagged aging, dementia, family dysfunction, gender, love, Mexican literature, transgender, violence
Comments Off on Trash – Sylvia Aguilar-Zéleny, (translated by JD Pluecker)
Stories of a Life-Nataliya Meshchaninova (Translated from the Russian by Fiona Bell)
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned You claim that your family is dysfunctional. You may blame them for your current emotional state or even hate them. However, you can’t help but empathize with this author after reading Stories of a Life … Continue reading
Posted in Slavic Literature, World Literature
Tagged family dysfunction, Russian literature, Sexual abuse
Comments Off on Stories of a Life-Nataliya Meshchaninova (Translated from the Russian by Fiona Bell)
Tard – Del Staecker
(Reviewed by JD Jung) #CommissionsEarned “Thou shalt not be a victim, and thou shalt not be a perpetrator. But above all else—thou shalt not be a bystander.” That’s one lesson Richard Bettis learned from Matt. One referred to Matt Mueller … Continue reading
Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Philosophical reads, Reviewers' Top Picks, Sci-Fi/Speculative/Fantasy/Mythology
Tagged corruption, down-syndrome, family dysfunction, fantasy, philosophy, redemption, Religion, sociopaths
Comments Off on Tard – Del Staecker
Dark Chains – LaTasha “Tacha B.” Braxton
(Reviewed by Jeyran Main) Sometimes what we lose or do not achieve in life does not necessarily set us back. We strive forward and if in fact, we fail in receiving love, given the situation, we love back more. This … Continue reading
Posted in Bios and Memoirs, Your Best Self
Tagged child abuse, family dysfunction, memoirs
Comments Off on Dark Chains – LaTasha “Tacha B.” Braxton