Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Στο σπίτι των ονείρων by Carmen Maria Machado

341 reviews

handful_of_frogs's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting

aymboi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

(no rating since it's a memoir)

The book is about the author's abusive queer relationship and I think she did a good job detailing these experiences in an emotional and reflective way while also talking about how abuse in queer relationships is often overlooked in society. 
The structure is different from other books I have read and it made this very hard to put down. I will probably be thinking about this for a while and I definitely recommend it!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual content

yourbookishbff's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

In the Dream House felt so reminiscent to me of Children of the Land, in that both memoirs are non-linear and episodic, weaving truth abstractly to allow for a retelling of significant trauma. The use of horror devices - and the eery symbolism of the dream house - underscore the constant suspense and fear Machado experienced within an abusive relationship with her female partner. Her narrative creates new space for accounting trauma within queer relationships, and she incorporates historical discussions of intimate partner abuse in queer relationships and research into its prevalence. 

This narrative structure also helps the reader understand the slow boil of abuse and sheds light on the ways people wield power within relationships. It is a heart wrenching examination of the isolation, emotional manipulation, bullying and gaslighting of emotional abuse in particular. I also really appreciated the reflections on language and pop culture (the origin story of the term gaslighting was new to me and fascinating).

This is a horrifying and beautifully written memoir that will resonate with those who appreciate nonlinear reflections. I particularly loved the use of second person to address her younger self, and the simultaneous distance and intimacy this created for her as she examines this part of her life. 

I would also note that the audiobook is narrated by Machado and I highly recommend this format.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Biphobia, Fatphobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content

bt_wannabe's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

A incredibly powerful read! I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by the author. Her tone and vulnerability combined with the poetic prose was gripping and heartbreaking. An important piece of work representing the lesbian and queer community. Please review the content warnings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

lina_etcaetera's review against another edition

reflective tense slow-paced

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

sarahjx's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual violence and Lesbophobia

gansey_02's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content

abigailstone10's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia

Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Biphobia, Blood, Grief, and Homophobia

alicia_ann_reads's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I don't typically rate memoirs, but this one was just so good. 

Partly because I could see my own trauma all throughout and it was written in the second person which made it incredibly cathartic; but also because the author interspersed her memoir with information, other stories and events that paralleled or highlighted her, and others experiences and was written in an almost poetic manner.

Just such a phenomenal book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcohol and Drug abuse

minniepauline's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Words to describe this book: unflinching, intelligent, tense, harrowing, horrifying, heartbreaking, informative, redemptive, shocking-but-not-really. Important. Necessary.

I loved the way this book felt like notes, like research, like an academic paper, and still landed its punches (metaphorical and otherwise) with such precision. The short chapters kept me turning the pages, as did the brilliant demonstration of what Machado went through, toward the middle of the book (no spoilers here). She mixes research and her own story with a poet’s eye. I’m floored by this book. I will read whatever she writes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse