Scan barcode
alyssiacg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
grimja's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
tracithomas's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This was a reread for me and I still really loved this book. I picked up more this second time around and really appreciate Gurba and her writing and thought process. A really solid collection of cultural criticism tied to personal essays. Fantastic.
kp_pj's review
5.0
I read this one via audiobook, in the author M. Gurba’s voice. It’s been an intentional choice to seek out queer, female, minority authors and hear their stories in their own voices.
This book is full of triggering content. I’ve been working as a trauma therapist for years and it had me pulling out many of my own coping mechanisms. That said, I trust that anyone reading the synopsis before diving in will be able to determine on their own whether or not they can handle it. (I’ve been reading it concurrently with a similarly themed book by a Native author and tbh that was a costly decision for my psyche).
The discomfort of hearing the many different instances of abuse that Gurba survived was ever-present. It’s nonlinear and that took some getting used to, but it’s exactly the way survivor stories often go. I appreciate the reflection and humility this personally inspired as I aim to learn more about cultural differences. Definitely an opportunity to gain insights of growing up Chicana. It casually takes the reader through the anti-Mexican attitude that shows up in far too many spaces in the US.
I’ll be digesting this one for a while and I’m looking forward to checking out her other work. First up: “Mean.”
This book is full of triggering content. I’ve been working as a trauma therapist for years and it had me pulling out many of my own coping mechanisms. That said, I trust that anyone reading the synopsis before diving in will be able to determine on their own whether or not they can handle it. (I’ve been reading it concurrently with a similarly themed book by a Native author and tbh that was a costly decision for my psyche).
The discomfort of hearing the many different instances of abuse that Gurba survived was ever-present. It’s nonlinear and that took some getting used to, but it’s exactly the way survivor stories often go. I appreciate the reflection and humility this personally inspired as I aim to learn more about cultural differences. Definitely an opportunity to gain insights of growing up Chicana. It casually takes the reader through the anti-Mexican attitude that shows up in far too many spaces in the US.
I’ll be digesting this one for a while and I’m looking forward to checking out her other work. First up: “Mean.”
rhiannatherad's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
ckkurata529's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
barbn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse