Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin by Megan Rosenbloom

12 reviews

sistersin124's review

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this book and the way the author presented the information. I will say there are some sections that are designed to provoke thought and can be uncomfortable. The focus is very heavy on the people who created the books and the ethics around it all but I also feel like she gives adequate discussion on those used to create the books as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Racism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Colonisation, Death, and Antisemitism

vohak's review against another edition

dark funny informative slow-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Gore

Minor: Antisemitism, Murder, Blood, Animal death, and Child death

The author handles it all retty well but don't read it if you're squeamish.

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book messed me right up, and I was here for it lol it totally freaked me out, and I'm not sure that many other people could have pulled this book off. The narrator was also a perfect match - some levity, while also focusing on the seriousness of the subject. So much information in here, and I really appreciated that the author wasn't afraid to touch on the racial implications of some of the books. There are so many tiny ways that white oppressors have tried to make sure their bigoted ideas were mainstream, and we have to catch them in history. Whatever else Ms. Rosenbloom writes, I'm in.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Medical content

Moderate: Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, Blood, Classism, Murder, War, Violence, and Xenophobia

Minor: Racism, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, and Toxic relationship

If you think this is going to freak you out, it likely will, but it's not gross just to be gross.

musicalpopcorn's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

A book about the history of books bound in human skin, Dark Archives gives the reader a lot to think about in terms of medical ethics. I found this book to be quite interesting. It made me think about a lot of things I’d never thought about and that would make a lot of people very uncomfortable. 

I did find that by about 3/4 through the book, there was less to do with books and more to do with the ethical dilemmas of using bodies for various means after death. I’m not necessarily complaining, as it was still thought provoking….I just found my interest starting to wane a bit. 

Overall I’m glad I read this book, although I doubt I will be able to recommend it to many people. It’s a tad niche. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Death, and Medical content

Minor: Hate crime, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, and Genocide

moore2030's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Medical trauma, Body horror, and Medical content

Minor: Murder, Slavery, Genocide, Antisemitism, Blood, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Racism, and Cultural appropriation

metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical content and Blood

Minor: War and Racism

jhbandcats's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

A fascinating look at a fairly taboo subject, this book delves into the history of bookbinding, paper making, medicine, and anatomy education. It deals with racism, classism, and sexism, and shows how medicine is still perpetuating antiquated approaches to anyone who isn’t a white male. This book is well-researched and well-written, illuminating and intriguing. The author deals with the subject of anthropodermic bibliopegy with great sensitivity and respect. 

Definitely recommended for people who love books and want to learn more about the less salubrious history of medicine. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Medical content, Death, Classism, Gore, Blood, Murder, and Sexism

talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

dark informative medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Murder, Blood, Antisemitism, Racism, Medical content, Body horror, Death, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Misogyny, Animal death, Genocide, Child death, War, Sexism, Suicide, and Slavery

Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Sexual violence

Descriptions of the Holocaust and other acts taken/beliefs espoused by the Nazi Party throughout WWII era. Descriptions of tanning process and related topics, of both animal and human skin. Discussion of medical ethics and violations thereof, including desecration of corpses. Mostly allegorical mentions of sexual violence/rape.

paolina's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.5

Fascinating and dark, another informative book that shows the truth is stranger than fiction.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Medical content, Murder, and Racism

Minor: Antisemitism

arlangrey17's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, and Racism