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beyondthebindings's review against another edition
4.0
This book really made me think about my own experiences and I had some tough realisations along the way. I would say to read this book with caution if you have past sexual or relationship trauma as it can be very triggering and confronting.
I see some reviews saying the book isn't sex or kink positive but that is not the impression I got from this book.
Overall a very well researched and important read, for all people.
I see some reviews saying the book isn't sex or kink positive but that is not the impression I got from this book.
Overall a very well researched and important read, for all people.
bobthebookerer's review against another edition
4.0
'Rough' explores tricky topics around consent and the so-called 'grey areas' of sex and sexuality, and argues powerfully about the need to address them, both through wider societal change and education, and through individual approaches around how we talk about sex and consent.
The book brings in personal stories from a variety of women, and is not easy reading, but it is crucial for understanding what a lack of consent can look like and feel like, and especially what 'grey areas' can look like.
Thompson also investigates how consent can be affected by various power dynamics within wider society, in terms of gender, race (especially stereotypes of women's bodies and perceived 'ownership' of their bodies), and sexuality (bringing in ideas around how lesbians are sometimes seen as existing for a male gaze). This makes for fascinating reading, and I appreciated how she took more of an intersectional lens here.
I think the middle section of the book perhaps lost some of the momentum and thread of the argument started at the beginning, but the end tied it all together again well. Although the book was very intentional in separating BDSM/rough sex and non-consensual sex, occasionally the argument got lost in trying to articulate this difference, and it meant that it was up to the conclusion to clearly re-state and build on the main thrust of the book.
Ultimately, this is an important book about a critical subject, and I think it is insightful reading that many people should take heed of.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book brings in personal stories from a variety of women, and is not easy reading, but it is crucial for understanding what a lack of consent can look like and feel like, and especially what 'grey areas' can look like.
Thompson also investigates how consent can be affected by various power dynamics within wider society, in terms of gender, race (especially stereotypes of women's bodies and perceived 'ownership' of their bodies), and sexuality (bringing in ideas around how lesbians are sometimes seen as existing for a male gaze). This makes for fascinating reading, and I appreciated how she took more of an intersectional lens here.
I think the middle section of the book perhaps lost some of the momentum and thread of the argument started at the beginning, but the end tied it all together again well. Although the book was very intentional in separating BDSM/rough sex and non-consensual sex, occasionally the argument got lost in trying to articulate this difference, and it meant that it was up to the conclusion to clearly re-state and build on the main thrust of the book.
Ultimately, this is an important book about a critical subject, and I think it is insightful reading that many people should take heed of.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
snowiceblackfruit77's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Rape, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Bullying, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Biphobia, and Toxic friendship
kindledspiritsbooks's review
4.0
I like to think that fate brought this book found into my life, because I found it sitting forlornly, having been abandoned in the park near my house. I’m glad I found it, because it provides some really interesting analysis of the ‘grey areas’ of sex that legally wouldn’t be considered sexual assault but can still leave people feelings hurt, uncomfortable and even traumatised. She discusses the rise of non-consensual choking, spitting and slapping in casual sexual encounters and goes out of her way to highlight how the prevalence and specifics of this violence can intersect with existing societal problems such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and fatphobia. I appreciated that Thompson went out of her way to make this book sex-positive while still highlighting a growing but underdiscussed issue. Rough provides its readers with the vocabulary to have much needed discussions about the ways that this kind of behaviour impacts people and provides concrete solutions for how society can tackle it, including (gasp) treating the people you have sex with with kindness and humanity!
adep02's review against another edition
4.5
Really great book. Liked that the chapters each tackled something different to do with sexual violence, including things like racism and ableism. It was clearly written with a lot of love, but also a lot of fire in the belly. Would definitely recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism and Racism
ezoots's review against another edition
5.0
This book is amazing for understanding sexual assault, trans issues, toxic masculinity. Amazing.