Reviews tagging 'Racism'

I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

31 reviews

thewordsdevourer's review

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Infidelity

moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Racism

Moderate: Infidelity

johannarose's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Racism

flamesocks's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Dysphoria, Grief, and Transphobia

Moderate: Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Self harm

daphne_430's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

Everyone should read this book. Amazing book for schools and book clubs. Don't hesitate to pick it up.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Biphobia, Homophobia, Body shaming, and Misogyny

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Eating disorder

Minor: Racism and Deadnaming

malaikawrites's review

challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Transphobia

Moderate: Racism, Biphobia, and Infidelity

solenodon's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, and Grief

Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexual content, Racism, and Mental illness

Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Suicide, Infidelity, and Hate crime

maudsmeets's review

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Any ambiguity or nonconformity, especially in relation to gender, conjurers terror. This is precisely why men are afraid of me. Why women are afraid of me, too.
But your fear is not only hurting me, it's hurting you, limiting you from being everything you could be.

An informative, reflective and challenging read that combines autobiographical stories with gender theory seamlessly. 

I would recommend this text to anyone. We can all learn from this and we should all learn from this, to be frank. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

skudiklier's review

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

4.0

This book was really interesting! It was kind of all over the place, and pretty short, but I'm glad I read it. It definitely highlights a lot of important things and it made me think. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Bullying, Racism, and Infidelity

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

words_and_coffee's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Transphobia

Moderate: Body shaming and Racism

Minor: Bullying