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

Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

12 reviews

hania_027's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

Im Afraid of Men and all that comes in a world that loves masculinity.

This book left me thinking about my past experiences with men, whether it was related to something violent or "good". A quick read but also reflective and honestly, if youre upset by the title, read it.

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samagra's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

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readandfindout's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

4.25

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Perspective: 4.5 stars

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eve81's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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cozylifewithabby's review

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challenging

4.0

"Why is my humanity only seen or cared about when I share the ways in which I have been victimized and violated?"

"How cruel it is to have endured two decades of being punished for being too girly only to be told that I am now not girly enough."

"What would my body look and feel like if I didn't have to mold it into both a shield and an ornament? How do I love a body that was never fully my own?"

This book was eye opening. It is a quick read and an important one.

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orchidd's review against another edition

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informative fast-paced

3.0

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ezwolf's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

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mattiedancer's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Writing: 5⭐️/5

The writing in this short memoir is controlled and technically sound. And yet, beyond that, Shraya utilizes force and precision in accounting her experiences with tender, sensitive moments of her life. I think it’s hard to discuss our own trauma without leaning either toward self-indulgence or feigned humility, but Shraya’s writing is a testament to how to craft stories with meaning without sounding trite or repetitive or indulgent.

Approach: 5⭐️/5

The book is divided into three sections: the intro, you, and me. The you section is written in second person, forcing the reader into the shoes of her oppressors, her bullies, and even her beloved, leaves a sense of humanity in those stories from all angles, compelling reader to reconcile the pain with the source. Likewise, the switch to me reminds us of the writer, of Shraya, and her own voice in her life. It’s an effective approach to stories that circle around both an internal struggle for self-identity and the external vision that self-expression ultimately communicates. Eventually, I also got the sense of a ‘manifesto’ forming in the background of the memoir, which was subtle and clear.

Content: 5⭐️/5

The sections of her life that are clearly and concisely chosen and communicated to the reader make this not only a short book but ultimately a controlled read. The focus is obvious, evident in every story we read. Again, I find it hard not to over-indulge when sharing life stories, but Shraya remains in control of that throughout.

Who Should Read This Book?

Those looking for a memoir about transitioning and accepting one’s sexual identity
Readers wanting to learn more about Shraya
Readers who want to challenge and grow in their feminism and LGBTQ+ understanding and alliance

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