Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

20 reviews

fkshg8465's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Oh wow. Speechless. Ending was not what I expected. So much intergenerational anguish and fighting for survival. And I loved all the poetry too. Hoping to read more of her works after having finished this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child death, Classism, Domestic abuse, Rape, Colonisation, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Body shaming, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Violence, Torture, Alcohol, Infertility, Blood, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

roohanin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

 

 An intense, emotional rollercoaster that reveals the harrowing consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity. Safia Sinclair's poetic prowess and compelling narrative make this memoir an unforgettable read. 

Reading "How to Say Babylon" by Safia Sinclair was an intense and emotional journey that required multiple breaks to process. The memoir is a gripping rollercoaster of emotions, making me cry, and sharing in her anger and despair. Sinclair’s story starkly illustrates the consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity.

Before diving into this book, I was unfamiliar with Rastafarianism. The extensive backstory provided, even before her birth, was enlightening. However, it became clear that her family's extreme practice of religion should not be seen as a definitive representation of Rastafarianism. I suspect there is much more to the faith than what was depicted in her father's household, encompassing both positive and negative aspects.

I rarely use the word "hate" due to its intensity, but I genuinely hated her father throughout the book. His actions were profoundly disturbing. Despite the darkness, I was relieved to see Sinclair eventually finding a support system for her brother and mother.

Safia Sinclair masterfully crafts a coherent and compelling story arc in her memoir. While I typically do not enjoy poetry, as I often struggle to understand it, her poetic prowess shines through her prose. Although some of her poetic language puzzled me, I could still grasp the overarching meanings and emotions she conveyed. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Cursing, Child abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny

wynnebirchmaple's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

mshahan's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

courtknoc's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Pregnancy and Racism

adawada's review against another edition

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Death, and Abandonment

Minor: Drug use

hellolucireads's review against another edition

I read it for book club but didn’t finish by the time we met. Her writing was beautiful and a lot of it upset me. It was tough and challenging to read knowing it was a memoir! I’m not sure if it was for me, and very hard to rate!

It was engaging but I just got tired of reading it, to be honest. Maybe because it was challenging and upsetting for me.

I read a summary of how everything turned out at the end - just to see if there was a light at the end of it! 

I didn’t know about Rastafarian culture before, and learned so much from her lens. I’d still recommend it even though I didn’t finish! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Self harm

i_likedbooksbest's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship and Suicidal thoughts

loveclairebearx's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

I picked up this book expecting to enjoy it. Unpacking childhood as it relates to identity is my favorite memoir niche. What I did not expect, however, was to be swept away and enthralled by how breathtakingly gorgeous the writing is. 

Sinclair’s talent for poetry and devoted daily practice of reading the dictionary shines in the lush prose - each descriptor dripping with expressive intent. Every sentence a reckoning.

Some books are meant to be devoured, others savored. This memoir is the latter. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual assault

asiadb's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Child abuse, Classism, and Self harm