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belladonnashrike's review against another edition
2.75
it’s a nice easy read and a good break from all the depressing books I always have my nose in, but it wasn’t super profound to me. there are definitely some gems in there, though. the ending was a little flat and weirdly abrupt.
ultimately I don’t understand the praise this gets, it was okay. not bad, but not the best piece of writing either.
not trying to rain on her parade at all. despite my critiques i am very happy she was able to flourish and now lives the life she wants to live without the societal & religious constraints that are bestowed upon us from such a young age.
Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Sexism, Addiction, and Infidelity
Minor: Racism, Mass/school shootings, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, and Drug abuse
davinemelodies's review against another edition
3.75
Take my rating with a grain of salt though, because this is literally the only non-fiction book I’ve ever finished, so you may rate it higher.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Death and Grief
greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Alcoholism, Grief, Addiction, and Dysphoria
cateemma's review against another edition
2.75
on the other hand, every time the author used the term 'your Knowing' i wanted to stop reading. and she used it a LOT.
i do really appreciate that this book has resonated with so many people, women in particular. and i also want to acknowledge that as a 19 year old i'm really not the target audience.
but also this book takes a long time to essentially say, "live your life unapologetically and do what makes you truly happy".
i personally didn't find it particularly empowering, but i don't regret reading it.
some good things:
- talks about eating disorders as coping skills and means of control rather than simply about weight-loss
- engaging writing style
- beautiful queer relationship
- very honest
- weird analogies and metaphors
- religious (christian), especially in the middle section (this is a con for me but possibly a pro for lots of people)
- the author doesn't really acknowledge her privilege within the text. the book is about being yourself and unlearning the things society teaches us but it doesn't acknowledge that not everyone is safe or able to do that. it kind of just preaches that we should do that because it's what's best for us and will lead to a fulfilling life
- very girl-bossy
- says that people aren't born gay and that she chose her partner (of the same sex) because she's smart??
- says people without mental illness aren't interesting
- never uses the word lesbian or bi but uses gay a lot
- talks about womanhood in a way that suggests having children and a family is important for every woman. does not acknowledge trans women or non binary people
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Death, Vomit, and Infidelity
sdunn13's review against another edition
3.5
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Grief, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Eating disorder
schohayes's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, and Eating disorder
catbuechler's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Eating disorder and Addiction
mackenzienoelle's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Eating disorder, and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia, Addiction, and Alcoholism
calypso93's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Addiction and Eating disorder