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Forbidden

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'Forbidden' by Tabitha Suzuma is a controversial and taboo novel that delves into the complex and heartbreaking story of a brother and sister who find themselves falling in love after being abandoned by their neglectful mother. The book skillfully handles delicate themes of incest, poverty, and high school life, offering a unique perspective on the struggles faced by the protagonists as they navigate their forbidden relationship. The writing style is described as emotional, sensitive, and thought-provoking, evoking strong reactions from readers who found themselves both uncomfortable and captivated by the story.

Characters:

Characters are complex and relatable, dealing with significant personal and familial issues that elicit empathy.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is emotionally charged and beautifully crafted, drawing readers into the characters' inner struggles.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a controversial sibling relationship, dealing with themes of neglect, trauma, and emotional conflict.

Setting:

Set against a backdrop of family neglect, the contemporary setting enhances the story's emotional gravity.

Pacing:

The pacing is compelling, balancing emotional reflection with dramatic developments.
I gaze at the small, crisp, burned-out black husks scattered across the chipped white paint of the windowsills. It is hard to believe that they were ever alive. I wonder what it would be like to be sh...

Notes:

The book Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma tells a story about two siblings who fall in love, which is a very taboo subject.
Readers often feel conflicted about their feelings for the characters, rooting for them despite the incestuous relationship.
The characters, Lochan and Maya, face significant family struggles and emotional trauma that affect their bond.
The writing is praised for being beautifully written and emotionally impactful, despite the disturbing subject matter.
Many readers describe this book as devastating and heartbreaking, with a gut-wrenching ending that stays with them long after reading.
The book challenges readers' moral perspectives on taboo relationships, making them rethink their initial judgments.
It’s categorized as young adult (YA) literature but deals with extremely sensitive themes like neglect, trauma, and mental health issues.
Several readers recommend it as a unique read that evokes strong emotions, even if the content is uncomfortable.
The novel has been compared to other works involving themes of family and forbidden love, such as Flowers in the Attic.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes high content warnings due to its exploration of incest, suicide, mental health issues, and neglect.

Has Romance?

The romance in Forbidden is significantly present and central to the plot, despite being controversial.

From The Publisher:

Perfect for readers who enjoyed Flowers in the Attic, this is a heartbreaking and shocking novel about siblings Lochan and Maya, their tumultuous home life, and the clandestine, and taboo, relationship they form to get through it.

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As de facto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives-and the way they understand each other so completely-has also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: A love this devastating has no happy ending.

Ratings (15)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (47):

Read It (18)
Want To Read (24)
Not Interested (5)

About the Author:

Tabitha Suzuma is the author of A Note of Madness, A Voice in the Distance, From Where I Stand, Without Looking Back, among others. She used to work as a primary school teacher and now divides her time between writing and tutoring. She lives in London. Visit her at TabithaSuzuma.com.

 
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