Reviews tagging 'Classism'

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

5 reviews

bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial

This collection of essays by Alicia Elliott did not let me catch my breath for one moment. I feel like I highlighted so much throughout the book, probably every other page, if not every page 😭

Alicia comments on and asks questions about so much: colonization, capitalism, racism, misogyny, desire, selfies, “reality” tv, truth versus opinion, familial dynamics, indigenous practices, and so much more. 

I desperately want a print copy of this now, as it was such an important read. Capitalism and colonization has brought so much horror to the world, and the solutions will not be found with them. I look forward to reading more from Alicia Elliott and I am so grateful that I read this book. 

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lattelibrarian's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

Alicia Elliott is an incredibly talented writer. I read her debut novel first, then this when our library purchased it. Each essay is masterful--especially that in which she weaves Susan Sontag's thoughts on photography with her own experience being photographed without consent by her friends through the lens of voyeuristic and racialized photography. She also has an interactive essay at the very end which blurs the line between abuser and victim as she discusses intergenerational trauma, family histories, and poverty.

Perhaps the most compelling essay for me is the one about lice where Elliott states that her family's crime was not neglect, but being impoverished. They had love and discipline and food. They just didn't have the money to treat the lice that ravaged her and her siblings for years on end.

Elliott also goes into detail about her depression, her mother's bipolar disorder, and her father's forceful institutionalization of her mother. I can only imagine what this must have felt like to finally publish, to "air out" all the family secrets, so to speak. She's brave, but she's also simply telling the truth. I really respect her for that.

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remimicha's review against another edition

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4.75


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ltulisiak's review

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This was a fascinating and heartbreaking essay about discrimination, abuse, mental health, racism, and family dynamics. There were several sections of this essay that were incredibly educational for me, a cis, hetero, white woman who grew up in a very safe, wealthy, and supported environment. Other sections of this book- especially those tackling mental health- resonated with me and helped me to look introspectively about my relationship with myself and with others and how it impacts my mental health. I would highly recommend this essay! 

Additionally, the author is originally from Buffalo, NY, and was partially raised in the greater Cleveland, OH, area, so I felt a geographical connection with her, as well. 

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clarabooksit's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0


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