Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Tomboyland: Essays by Melissa Faliveno

2 reviews

readerette's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.0

The essay/chapter entitled Motherland feels like a must read for anyone who's ever had children or not had children, or will/will not someday have children. It's a beautiful exploration of how complicated the decision is. As the author says, "...all choices are a sacrifice."

I found this an intriguing rumination on identity and how it develops, though as a Midwesterner, I don't agree with most of the generalizations the author makes about Midwesterners. I do believe those generalizations are how people outside the Midwest often think of us, but I don't believe they're factually true or that most Midwesterners consider them true. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Biphobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Grief, Self harm, Sexual content, and Alcohol

Minor: Death, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Rape, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abortion, Colonisation, and Suicide attempt

mariahsnerdynotes's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

A moving collection of essays that deals with trauma, found family, identity, sexuality, feelings on grief, being a teenager, and much more. While the writing comes off as slightly disjointed at times, it doesn't take long to realize that the narrative is woven together by the theme that connects it all. The essays focus in on what being from Wisconsin means to the author, her life in New York City, her childhood, her flaws, and the complicated web of feelings and thoughts that life truly is. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Grief

Moderate: Blood

Minor: Abortion