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finnthehuman217's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book so much. It is a “phantasmagorical” book based on a short story by Maisie Mattia called Ezekiel in the snow. It is very disjointed because we’re witnessing it through the eyes of a trans woman who is very well adjusted considering the trauma she endures throughout the book. There are a lot of dark moments. She gets slashed in the eye in book 1, goes on a mission with Eleanor, a siren who she wakes up with in her bed after getting slashed, and 2 weeks later she gets her tits done. (Then covid happens) In book 2, we see a sexual trauma happen to Aurora when she is injured during sex because the man who was fucking her thought her screams were in pleasure but they were in pain. Only to learn after that “the back of my cunt was torn” and the medical system is too biased to listen to her needs and mistreats her. People keep asking her if she’s on her period and she’s like “I’m trans and I just had bottom surgery a few months ago, I am in the worst pain of my life. then we get the reunion of her and this man she is “in love with”. It’s sad because he was attracted to her when she was “a fairy” but told her she wasn’t pretty. The heartbreak in the book is so real! I love the narrative but get tripped up when the meta talk about publishing and the way publishers talk to trans authors. Also, the part that messes me up is when we hear from Velvet and his notes on the story. It’s too meta sometimes. I loved it but it was so dark
Maisie Mattia is an icon and the next generation’s trans writer!!!! https://www.sassymamasg.com/transgender-child-parenting/
Maisie Mattia is an icon and the next generation’s trans writer!!!! https://www.sassymamasg.com/transgender-child-parenting/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, and Dysphoria
katepilled's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Exquisite!! Mattia is ethereal, Shakespearean, myth and modern. Vulnerable and raw. At times, I had no idea what she was saying; more often, I found the sentiment strike deep cords within my soul. I savored every page. The Fifth Wound has a lot to say about gender, sexuality, and love. I think there can be a new take away with each read. Mattia generously weaves footnotes throughout poetic prose, which will encourage the reader to slow down. I picture myself on a walk through a museum as I stop to take in all of the exhibit descriptions while I read this work.
TW self harm, sexual / assault, blood
TW self harm, sexual / assault, blood
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Medical content, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail