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

Reviews tagging 'Biphobia'

I'm Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

14 reviews

jennp28's review

fast-paced

4.0

An important read (or in this case, listen - which is a great option as it’s read by the author). Lots of tidbits that made me say “huh” or nod my head in agreement. Vivek says that many of the anecdotes she relays are minor but I think that’s the important part. It doesn’t have to be a sweeping horrific tragic story in order to see the impact. It’s the little everyday aggressions or even micro-aggressions.

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lucystolethesky's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced

4.5

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sakisreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

4.5

This was such an excellent essay. Vivek Shraya goes from ‘you’ to ‘me’ in her perspectives (so for the first part, you read into her perspectives of different men she’s afraid of, then for the second part you read into how she’s been trying to minimise herself for the comfort of other men etc.) 😳

I read this incredibly quickly, because there was no way to stop 👏🏼 It was phenomenal! I highlighted a few quotes that definitely need going back to again and again.

The ending

I’m also afraid of women

got me 👀
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4.5 out of 5 stars for me ✨ Thank you!

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qqjj's review against another edition

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challenging emotional medium-paced

3.0

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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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samarakroeger's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

I truly believe the defining characteristic of all non-men is our collective fear of them. in this tiny book, Shraya goes through some of her experiences growing up as a queer person of color and reflects on coming out as trans in her 30s. it is well worth the read, especially because it is so short.

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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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