Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - I'm Afraid of Men

Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

23 reviews

mraddd's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

frantically's review

Go to review page

challenging informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.25

“I have always been disturbed by this transition, by the reality that often the only way to capture someone’s attention and to encourage them to recognize their own internal biases (and to work to alter them) is to confront them with sensational stories of suffering. Why is my humanity only seen or cared about when I share the ways in which I have been victimized and violated?”

This book not only spoke to me (as someone's who's — surprise, surprise — also afraid of men) it taught me so much about the intricate ways a trans-woman's fear of men, fear of masculinity/femininity is different from mine.

What I especially loved being themed is how it is often gay men that make queer spaces unsafe and uncomfortable for female-presenting people. Their gayness does not excuse the casual misogyny they often display.

Content Warnings

mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective fast-paced

Content Warnings

bi_n_large's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

Content Warnings

thewordsdevourer's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

vivek shraya, thru her own unique personal experience as a trans WOC, examines the constraints of the binary and the toxicity of masculinity on ppl of all genders in the short and compulsively readable i'm afraid of men.

the stacked reasons for the title, peppered throughout but esp in the opening pgs, are a reality slap and a harsh reminder; compounded by intersectional identities, the outlook seems ever bleak. i also very much relate to the author's view on love, self-love, and the body. im particularly impressed by her self-awareness on her own complicity thru both past and present actions as well, as it encourages us all to look back w/in ourselves and reflect on our own role, meaning there's at least a way forward.

Content Warnings

moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

This is a short but potent meditation on misogyny, drawing on the author's personal experience. She describes violence she experienced from men before and after transition and the impact of that violence before also discussing women's role (including her own) in perpetuating these violences.

Parts of this are in first person and others were in second. That shift to second person is a powerful literary decision because of the discomfort that it brings, putting you in the shoes of men who have hurt her. And it makes the later (first person) discussion of how even people who aren't men contribute to misogyny that much more hard-hitting.

Content Warnings