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docmuerte's review against another edition
4.0
La vida (de mierda) de los demás hace que veamos con mayor claridad lo privilegiada que es la nuestra.
Al no conocer su obra artística me faltan huecos por rellenar en su relato, que no es lineal de todos modos.
Al no conocer su obra artística me faltan huecos por rellenar en su relato, que no es lineal de todos modos.
polyreader's review against another edition
3.0
Some books are crucial at certain points in your life, and this was one of those for me. I stumbled upon this book in the library when I was studying an Arts degree in the country. It was a strange – and possibly the most detrimental – time of my life, where I was growing into an adult woman. I had begun experiencing a great amount of conflicting emotions due to a big break-up, isolation from my home-town, and the painfully new feeling of ‘fending for myself’. This book was an absolute awakening for me in many ways, it was my first real insight into feminism, poverty, privilege, misogyny, life as a young woman in the world. This book became one of my favourites all those years ago – so recently I decided to re-read it and see how my perception of it had changed. I was rather pleased to discover that it was still as impactful now as it had been all those years ago.
Strangeland is a memoir, separated into three parts: Motherland, Fatherland and Traceyland. It is an array of recollections, stories and musings describing certain pivotal moments in Emin’s life, some of which are utterly unimaginable. Starting at Motherland, we get an insight into the rape and abuse she experienced as a young child whilst living in poverty, which is incredibly intense and difficult to stomach. Fatherland takes us through Emin’s Turkish culture, exploring the history and tradition of her fathers roots, including brief mentions of her Sudanese Grandfather. Emin has experienced an abnormal amount of misfortune in her life, especially as a young woman – even within this more cultural section of the book, she deals with issues that most young people will never face – including her father’s interest in marrying a 16 year old girl, whilst in his 60’s.
Finally we arrive at Traceyland, a place where Emin is completely herself, in all her feminist, artistic glory. In this section, I noticed a tone which is representative of the current #metoo movement, where Emin discusses the fact that ‘no means no’ and other ways in which men abuse power. The female body is a battleground as a young woman, and Emin explores this within her writing. There is a whole chapter titled ‘Advice on Unwanted Pregnancy’s’, including how to avoid them but also how to deal with them, and be kind to yourself during such an isolating time. Traceyland also explores the dichotomy that is the pain of being a tortured artist, whilst art has also saved her.
Strangeland is certainly not for the faint of heart, it combines lucid dreaming, disjointed essays, poetry and musings into one conglomerate of chapters that delve deep into Emin’s life. I’m glad I discovered this book at a pivotal point of my life, and that I was able to revisit it without disappointment. Emin is certainly not literary, but she can write an engaging and eye opening memoir.
- from polreaderblog[dot]wordpress[dot]com
Strangeland is a memoir, separated into three parts: Motherland, Fatherland and Traceyland. It is an array of recollections, stories and musings describing certain pivotal moments in Emin’s life, some of which are utterly unimaginable. Starting at Motherland, we get an insight into the rape and abuse she experienced as a young child whilst living in poverty, which is incredibly intense and difficult to stomach. Fatherland takes us through Emin’s Turkish culture, exploring the history and tradition of her fathers roots, including brief mentions of her Sudanese Grandfather. Emin has experienced an abnormal amount of misfortune in her life, especially as a young woman – even within this more cultural section of the book, she deals with issues that most young people will never face – including her father’s interest in marrying a 16 year old girl, whilst in his 60’s.
Finally we arrive at Traceyland, a place where Emin is completely herself, in all her feminist, artistic glory. In this section, I noticed a tone which is representative of the current #metoo movement, where Emin discusses the fact that ‘no means no’ and other ways in which men abuse power. The female body is a battleground as a young woman, and Emin explores this within her writing. There is a whole chapter titled ‘Advice on Unwanted Pregnancy’s’, including how to avoid them but also how to deal with them, and be kind to yourself during such an isolating time. Traceyland also explores the dichotomy that is the pain of being a tortured artist, whilst art has also saved her.
Strangeland is certainly not for the faint of heart, it combines lucid dreaming, disjointed essays, poetry and musings into one conglomerate of chapters that delve deep into Emin’s life. I’m glad I discovered this book at a pivotal point of my life, and that I was able to revisit it without disappointment. Emin is certainly not literary, but she can write an engaging and eye opening memoir.
- from polreaderblog[dot]wordpress[dot]com
prosewhore's review
5.0
TW/// I wouldn't recommend this if you are sensitive to mentions of sexual abuse, eating disorders and/or just abuse in general.
I was crying before I reached page 20. She had so much awareness of how terrible of a place the world can be and at such a young age. It broke my heart.
In this book, you will get the good and the ugly. The abortions, the eating disorder, the rapes but also recollections of love of every kind, turkish stories passed on by her father and a taste of her strength.
I know that she receives a lot of hate (as do many powerful, successful women). I love Tracey, her art of course that never fails to touch me but she also seems to be a wonderful person. An interesting, brilliant, fierce woman. Resilient. This book is just pieces of her life and of the knowledge she has acquired along the years, all jumbled together. Curated in a way that feels right but not orderly, with words that can only be hers, raw and honest as her work always is.
I was crying before I reached page 20. She had so much awareness of how terrible of a place the world can be and at such a young age. It broke my heart.
In this book, you will get the good and the ugly. The abortions, the eating disorder, the rapes but also recollections of love of every kind, turkish stories passed on by her father and a taste of her strength.
I know that she receives a lot of hate (as do many powerful, successful women). I love Tracey, her art of course that never fails to touch me but she also seems to be a wonderful person. An interesting, brilliant, fierce woman. Resilient. This book is just pieces of her life and of the knowledge she has acquired along the years, all jumbled together. Curated in a way that feels right but not orderly, with words that can only be hers, raw and honest as her work always is.
beckybedbug's review
4.0
For many years, I was embarrassed about my love of Tracey Emin's art. After her Turner Prize nomination, it became a cliché to even mention her name. Whether you liked her or loathed her, your opinion would always seem lazy- Just picking an argument to sound like you know about art.
Eventually, I became confident enough in my knowledge of postmodern art to accept that Tracey Emin is my favourite artist. I don't care what anyone else thinks- Her works speak to me in a way that no other art does.
Because of this, I've been meaning to buy one of her books for the longest time. When I stumbled across this in a charity bookshop, I couldn't resist. I read it in the space of 24 hours and I absolutely loved it.
The way she writes- dark, twisted, disjointed- is reminiscent of the introduction to Philip Ridley's Plays. It's hard to believe everything she says, and the reader is left wondering how much is truth and how much is pure fantasy. The jumbled narrative communicates the sense of chaos and loss that she has felt in her life, whilst posing questions that encourage the reader to look deep into their own soul.
This style of writing is not for everyone. Much like her art, you either get it or you don't. For me, I was not surprised to fall as in love with her writing style as I did her art.
Eventually, I became confident enough in my knowledge of postmodern art to accept that Tracey Emin is my favourite artist. I don't care what anyone else thinks- Her works speak to me in a way that no other art does.
Because of this, I've been meaning to buy one of her books for the longest time. When I stumbled across this in a charity bookshop, I couldn't resist. I read it in the space of 24 hours and I absolutely loved it.
The way she writes- dark, twisted, disjointed- is reminiscent of the introduction to Philip Ridley's Plays. It's hard to believe everything she says, and the reader is left wondering how much is truth and how much is pure fantasy. The jumbled narrative communicates the sense of chaos and loss that she has felt in her life, whilst posing questions that encourage the reader to look deep into their own soul.
This style of writing is not for everyone. Much like her art, you either get it or you don't. For me, I was not surprised to fall as in love with her writing style as I did her art.
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