Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

13 reviews

kchin's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Her voice is strong, writing is clear and brilliant. Everyone needs to read this book.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Police brutality, Murder, Genocide, Sexism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Racism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Hate crime, and Colonisation

remimicha's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Alcoholism, Classism, Police brutality, Body shaming, Child abuse, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Murder, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Suicide, Gun violence, Homophobia, Eating disorder, Hate crime, Cancer, and Death

buttermellow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism

Moderate: Mental illness, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Colonisation, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault

june_haya's review against another edition

3.75

This book feels like putting sugar on a bruise that is already purple. I think that means I liked it.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual assault, Genocide, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Violence

Minor: Abortion and Suicidal thoughts

ltulisiak's review

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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Classism, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Sexual violence

Minor: Suicide attempt

solenodon's review

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness

Moderate: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Racism

Minor: Forced institutionalization and Physical abuse

sofiareadings's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Police brutality, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

remib's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault

littlecat's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.75

Its not a style I read a lot of books in (personal essays) which was interesting, it has a distinct own style and I like the humor in it despite the heavy topics. I felt like I read at least part of the essays before but that may just because I read other things about the topics before, definitly interesting.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Racism, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, and Rape

ohlhauc's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

An absolutely stunning, well-crafted collection of essays on the author's lived experience as a Tuscarora woman in the U.S. and Canada, and her reflections on indigenous identity and representation overall.

Her simple, no-holds-barred style of writing will make you think about topics on colonialism, racism, privilege, media representation, effects of poverty and intergenerational trauma, and more. Definitely look at content warnings as some heavy topics are discussed but if you are in the frame of mind to read about those things, this is a must-read for anyone interested in indigenous issues, intergenerational ideas, media, and memoir. 

My favourite essays in the collection were:
-A Mind Spread Out on the Ground
-Weight
-34 Grams Per Dose
-On Forbidden Rooms and Intentional Forgetting

But all of the essays were wonderful and worth the read. A new favourite book! I can't wait for more work to be published by this author.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Racism

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Sexual content