Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing: Essays by Lauren Hough

5 reviews

1oddkatreads's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Really beautifully written by an author you just want to wrap in a massive hug until they break down and let it all out. The author's experiences and the worldview that has developed around them are painful and bleak. I think there was a glimpse of hopefulness sort of woven in there, but it's safely concealed beneath heavy, protective layers of stoic endurance, perseverance, and carefully managed expectations. I loved learning Lauren's story and the engaging way she told it. I wish her heart peace.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Rape, Self harm, Abortion, Confinement, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Blood, Outing, Cursing, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Misogyny

elwh's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

An excellent read about someone who’s lived so many lives. Shocking, funny, beautiful, and sad, often at the same time. It’s a good read, and worth it, but it’s hard. It took me a long while to get through because of that. The essays categorize sections of Hough’s life nicely, if a bit messily, which can make it hard to follow at points. But I liked the deep tangents-within-tangents, and the way things were connected.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting and Cursing

Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Hate crime, Sexism, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Rape

Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Abortion, and Pandemic/Epidemic

nerdy_yinzer's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Confinement, Hate crime, and Child abuse

Moderate: Outing, Abortion, and Blood

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

avisreadsandreads's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Mental illness

Moderate: Abortion, Child abuse, Police brutality, and Sexual assault

paperknotbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

4.25

This was tough to read. I hope “Karen’s” wrist aches all winter long, every winter, and I think Lauren’s old roommate was the car-torcher (“Solitaire”).

Edit 11/19/2021: the outcome of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict is what makes books like this so essential. Read essays “Solitaire” and “Cell Block” for examples of the US (in)justice system in action.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts