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lindseythome's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
kimberlyf's review against another edition
5.0
I’m unsure how some of these essays relate to feminism but every single one packs a punch and I loved them all nonetheless. Roxane Gay forever.
storeytale's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting and sadly still relevant (it was published a while ago).
tdem122's review against another edition
5.0
[1st read from 7/9/2023 to 6/11/2023] — 5⭐️
— absolutely incredible! it took me over two months to finish this because of schoolwork but i am so glad i did not give up on it!
— absolutely incredible! it took me over two months to finish this because of schoolwork but i am so glad i did not give up on it!
issianne's review against another edition
5.0
Roxane Gay is truly an American treasure. Her essays aren't always particularly about feminism directly, but I never felt like she was wandering from her point. I can't help but adore the chapter that included her love for "The Hunger Games." Other essays were much tougher to read but so incredibly important. While she brought up points that I didn't necessarily 100% agree with, she sheds light on these issues that make me think outside myself. She has this way of speaking like a layman--an everyday woman--and then a scholar--a woman with a PhD who knows better. I can't help but appreciate that immensely. I will be recommending this to anyone who's looking to learn more about feminism, racism, rape culture, eating disorders, film criticism, etc.
dnietoperafan's review against another edition
5.0
Roxane Gay inspired my MA dissertation.
Essays, in my opinion, can be written about anything and everything. Gay proved that to me.
I never thought I would be reading an essay about Scrabble, and actually enjoy it.
Gay mixes both storytelling and critical thinking. The anecdotal essays, the info dump essays, the critical essays; they all inspired me to write my own.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read short prose that might ignite critical thinking. The way Gay writes about what makes her passionate is amazing. It made me really happy, it's contagious.
Essays, in my opinion, can be written about anything and everything. Gay proved that to me.
I never thought I would be reading an essay about Scrabble, and actually enjoy it.
Gay mixes both storytelling and critical thinking. The anecdotal essays, the info dump essays, the critical essays; they all inspired me to write my own.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read short prose that might ignite critical thinking. The way Gay writes about what makes her passionate is amazing. It made me really happy, it's contagious.
aceinit's review against another edition
2.0
I have so many friends who swear by Gay, so I really, really wanted to like this book. I wanted to think deep thoughts and be inspired. But, after a substantial chunk dedicated to playing Scrabble, and a lot of stream-of-consciousness type essays that had very little thesis or solid point at all, I almost DNF'd this one way too many times to count. By the final third of the book, when Gay hits her stride and starts turning out solid material, I just didn't care anymore.
hyac1nthgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
gay has a humor infused in her writing that i very much enjoyed. she also has the talent of intensity when the topic calls for it. these essays all build upon the idea that humans are flawed and being a bad feminist is better that not being a feminist at all. overall, an interesting read even if it felt superficial at times.