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rhiannatherad's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
shasha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I think this is the best memoir I've ever read. Part of me thinks, fuck yeah, rock and roll. The other part of me got to the end and had a mental breakdown. It really fucking sucks Gurba had to do all the cool intellectual/historical exploration in the first 3/4 of the book in order to build up to the intense personal trauma at the end, but she's right, I'm not sure people would give a crap otherwise. I think the structure was definitely commentary on that, it's a beautifully woven story that needs to be told.
If you've ever been physically abused, beware. Her own account is the grit-your-teeth kind of unflinching recollection that will have you spiraling. Even without first hand experience...It might really hurt you to finish but not as much as it hurt her to write it.
I put it down for a week after starting the Creep chapters at the end. This book has teeth. I'm thankful Gurba had the mental fortitude to finish this incredible book for all the rest of us too. I wish this was getting book club traction, everyone should read it. Oh and fuck Joan Didion.
If you've ever been physically abused, beware. Her own account is the grit-your-teeth kind of unflinching recollection that will have you spiraling. Even without first hand experience...It might really hurt you to finish but not as much as it hurt her to write it.
I put it down for a week after starting the Creep chapters at the end. This book has teeth. I'm thankful Gurba had the mental fortitude to finish this incredible book for all the rest of us too. I wish this was getting book club traction, everyone should read it. Oh and fuck Joan Didion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape
juliajjshields's review
3.0
audiobooked this one & deeply appreciated the author’s style of narration. Gurba really brought Creep to life. These accusations and confessions touch on racism, crime & largely, sexual abuse & violence. Not light topics at all, but Gurba writes in a way that calls us in, makes us laugh at times and makes us think.
I was most struck by the chapter/essay “White Onion” which was the longest and bounced around various topics but the main being a critique of Joan Didion. As someone who enjoys Didion’s work I found it interesting and appreciated Gurba’s perspective. Later, Gurba’s critique of Jeanine Cummins & “American dirt” also resonated with me as I’d heard various things about this work and Gurba’s take was in line with why I’d likely never read this popular piece of literature.
What didn’t work so well for me was the almost scattered nature of the writing. It all came together and made sense, but as an audiobook listener, I found it difficult to follow trains of thought and felt the focus at times was unclear. The most irritating thing was a solely listener experience of hearing a bell ding sound every time Gurba moved between different portions of her essays…meaning way too often. It was unpleasant from the start but I was enjoying Gurba’s writing & narration so I stuck through it despite the noise…by the end I absolutely loathed it and was glad the book was over lmao I felt like Pavlov’s dog and didn’t feel it added anything of value to the narration.
Overall, solid collection of essays about Gurba’s life and experiences. Heavy topics but quite well done
I was most struck by the chapter/essay “White Onion” which was the longest and bounced around various topics but the main being a critique of Joan Didion. As someone who enjoys Didion’s work I found it interesting and appreciated Gurba’s perspective. Later, Gurba’s critique of Jeanine Cummins & “American dirt” also resonated with me as I’d heard various things about this work and Gurba’s take was in line with why I’d likely never read this popular piece of literature.
What didn’t work so well for me was the almost scattered nature of the writing. It all came together and made sense, but as an audiobook listener, I found it difficult to follow trains of thought and felt the focus at times was unclear. The most irritating thing was a solely listener experience of hearing a bell ding sound every time Gurba moved between different portions of her essays…meaning way too often. It was unpleasant from the start but I was enjoying Gurba’s writing & narration so I stuck through it despite the noise…by the end I absolutely loathed it and was glad the book was over lmao I felt like Pavlov’s dog and didn’t feel it added anything of value to the narration.
Overall, solid collection of essays about Gurba’s life and experiences. Heavy topics but quite well done
patricia_tejer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This book amazed me. I love Gurba’s writing style; she effortlessly transitions between her own life story, cultural criticisms, and Chicano and Mexican history. I learned so much from her book.
birbmcbirb's review against another edition
Really wonderful book, and writing. But way too heavy for my current headspace. Will come back to later!
nordstina's review
medium-paced
3.75
Creep is an intense essay collection filled with strong emotion, sometimes anger, sometimes with humor. One needs to be in the right mindset to read, but this is ultimately an extremely rewarding read. Many of the essays highlight how some of her identities (woman, Mexican, queer) can run up against systemic, passive, and overt hate. She grows up in California in the areas where much of the country's produce is grown, mostly by immigrants, sidling up against very white and very wealthy areas. She attends Catholic school with teachers with regressive views. A favorite essay is her takedown of the book American Dirt and its author (well-deserved). She ends with the most challenging essay, where the book takes its title from where she chronicles the abusive relationship she had, which was an incredibly tough read. Gurba is a strong writer and a strong woman. I look forward to reading future work of hers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Injury/Injury detail
melissammh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25