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fieldofhats's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Read for Queer Lit and Theory.
Such a powerful book about the intricacies of queer relationships and history. The structure is perfect, the writing is engaging, and the themes are gut-wrenching and harsh, but not entirely hopeless.
First, I wanted to speak on the structure of the book, which is one of the main reasons I love it so much. I have nothing but whole-hearted love for short chapters. A book can be 600 pages, but if the chapters are short I will devour it. Likewise, if a book is 200 pages of straight, unbroken prose, I will struggle to even pick it up. For this book specifically, the short chapters serve a very specific purpose; Machado has a point to make with each chapter, one that stands on its own. Each chapter portrays one scene or vignette of their relationship, and while they are all connected and create a cohesive story, the chapter ends when the scene is done. This format also makes it easy for her to interrupt the narrative for the folktale chapters in a way that isn't jarring. The short chapters do a great job of keeping me engaged since I'm not committing to much when I begin to read a chapter, which subsequently keeps me reading.
But the short chapters serve a purpose even beyond that. In the "Dream House as Choose Your Own Adventure" section of the book, Machado uses the short chapters as a means to lure the reader into an immersive game that demonstrates the everyday abuse that went on within Machado's life. In this section, there are choices that center the narrator and choices that center the partner; an example of the former would be the choice to “tell her to calm down”, or theatrically drive away from the house; an example of the latter would be “apologize profusely” or “do as you are told.” If you always choose the latter options, you will find yourself in a loop. You literally can’t get out unless you choose one of the former, of which there are very few. The grim reality is that the options you have for centering the narrator are all unrealistic; they would never happen at that point in the narrative, and she says this whenever you choose them. But those are the only ways to get out. The only exception to this is the “dream about the future” option, which leads to a positive refrain from the existential dread, until it asks you to turn to a page which has you waking up and starting all over again. The structure of this book allowed for Machado to do this, and the book is all the better for it.
The theme of Archival Silence is such an interesting, sad, almost looming presence throughout the book. in the introductory chapter, “…as Overture, she asks what authors are trying to hide with prologues — and in the prologue chapter, she speaks on hidden, forgotten, and lost texts. In a way, Archival Silence is a form of humanities collective prologue.
I love themes of fate and destiny, and while this is a true story, Machado uses the narrative theme of fate to connect the dots of her life, which is no clearer than at the end “…as Sex and Death.”The shock of having narrowing avoided such a dire event by mere coincidence puts the whole thematic structure of the book into perspective; Machado’s life hinges on the various fortunes of fate, which are often as cruel as they are rewarding. The Dream House, a symbol of safety tarnished by circumstance and abuse, is representative of this.
I really love that Machado shares the nuances of sexuality in this book. She spent most of her life as bisexual before she realized that she preferred women, but she still has a fondness for non-women. In “…as Sex and Death,” she says, “I don’t miss men, but I did miss you.” It’s a good reminder that sexuality isn’t a static, black-and-white thing. It’s fluid and has multitudes of nuance.
Give this book a read. Seriously. Check the trigger warnings, of course, but if you can you need to read this book.
Such a powerful book about the intricacies of queer relationships and history. The structure is perfect, the writing is engaging, and the themes are gut-wrenching and harsh, but not entirely hopeless.
First, I wanted to speak on the structure of the book, which is one of the main reasons I love it so much. I have nothing but whole-hearted love for short chapters. A book can be 600 pages, but if the chapters are short I will devour it. Likewise, if a book is 200 pages of straight, unbroken prose, I will struggle to even pick it up. For this book specifically, the short chapters serve a very specific purpose; Machado has a point to make with each chapter, one that stands on its own. Each chapter portrays one scene or vignette of their relationship, and while they are all connected and create a cohesive story, the chapter ends when the scene is done. This format also makes it easy for her to interrupt the narrative for the folktale chapters in a way that isn't jarring. The short chapters do a great job of keeping me engaged since I'm not committing to much when I begin to read a chapter, which subsequently keeps me reading.
But the short chapters serve a purpose even beyond that. In the "Dream House as Choose Your Own Adventure" section of the book, Machado uses the short chapters as a means to lure the reader into an immersive game that demonstrates the everyday abuse that went on within Machado's life. In this section, there are choices that center the narrator and choices that center the partner; an example of the former would be the choice to “tell her to calm down”, or theatrically drive away from the house; an example of the latter would be “apologize profusely” or “do as you are told.” If you always choose the latter options, you will find yourself in a loop. You literally can’t get out unless you choose one of the former, of which there are very few. The grim reality is that the options you have for centering the narrator are all unrealistic; they would never happen at that point in the narrative, and she says this whenever you choose them. But those are the only ways to get out. The only exception to this is the “dream about the future” option, which leads to a positive refrain from the existential dread, until it asks you to turn to a page which has you waking up and starting all over again. The structure of this book allowed for Machado to do this, and the book is all the better for it.
The theme of Archival Silence is such an interesting, sad, almost looming presence throughout the book. in the introductory chapter, “…as Overture, she asks what authors are trying to hide with prologues — and in the prologue chapter, she speaks on hidden, forgotten, and lost texts. In a way, Archival Silence is a form of humanities collective prologue.
I love themes of fate and destiny, and while this is a true story, Machado uses the narrative theme of fate to connect the dots of her life, which is no clearer than at the end “…as Sex and Death.”
I really love that Machado shares the nuances of sexuality in this book. She spent most of her life as bisexual before she realized that she preferred women, but she still has a fondness for non-women. In “…as Sex and Death,” she says, “I don’t miss men, but I did miss you.” It’s a good reminder that sexuality isn’t a static, black-and-white thing. It’s fluid and has multitudes of nuance.
Give this book a read. Seriously. Check the trigger warnings, of course, but if you can you need to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Biphobia and Suicidal thoughts
kimayasaijpal's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Carmen Maria Machado's "In the Dream House" is a masterpiece in structure. Written completely from the second perspective, this memoir on the breakdown of the author's queer abusive relationship was an immersive experience from the first line to the very last. The queer community often doesn't like talking about abuse because we feel that it would vilify us in the eyes of those who already don't want us to exist. But stories like Machado's are important. The perspective makes it unlike any other memoir I've read. "You follow her in because you don’t know what else to do,” makes the reader feel like they're experiencing exactly what Machado does, in real time. I will always recommend this book. It is a heavy read, and at times I felt I would not be able to finish it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
sarah_hutchins's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Biphobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
arj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
errie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Rape, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
cheyennedowls's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Violence
Minor: Lesbophobia
ems_book_shelf's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
This book was a masterpiece. From the start, it was hard to put down. The writing is so lyrical and the way the author writes metaphors for things that can’t be put into explicit words was amazing. There were many parts of this book that dug up past my traumas, put things into words that I have been struggling to myself, and made me reflect on my own thoughts and feelings and remembrances.
Recommending this book a million times over
Recommending this book a million times over
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
drgnhrt968's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
laur_astor's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
This is a masterclass in crafting an entirely original memoir. Carmen's writing is raw and heartbreaking and sucks you into the feelings she feels so deeply. Also, her audiobook narration is so poetic and mesmerizing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Homophobia
quirkydrinkerofink's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming and Homophobia