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wollstonecrafty's review against another edition
5.0
SO VERY GOOD!!!!!!!! I need to reread it because I just kept thinking about how much I enjoyed it. also a little mad at how much this was bait for my interests -- I now want to email alison bechdel this quote from wollstonecraft's letters. I want to talk about waterfalls and the Romantics with her!!! and how there is no real apogee of life!!!
"Reaching the cascade, or rather cataract, the roaring of which had a long time announced its vicinity, my soul was hurried by the falls into a new train of reflections. The impetuous dashing of the rebounding torrent from the dark cavities which mocked the exploring eye produced an equal activity in my mind. My thoughts darted from earth to heaven, and I asked myself why I was chained to life and its misery. Still the tumultuous emotions this sublime object excited were pleasurable; and, viewing it, my soul rose with renewed dignity above its cares. Grasping at immortality—it seemed as impossible to stop the current of my thoughts, as of the always varying, still the same, torrent before me; I stretched out my hand to eternity, bounding over the dark speck of life to come."
"Reaching the cascade, or rather cataract, the roaring of which had a long time announced its vicinity, my soul was hurried by the falls into a new train of reflections. The impetuous dashing of the rebounding torrent from the dark cavities which mocked the exploring eye produced an equal activity in my mind. My thoughts darted from earth to heaven, and I asked myself why I was chained to life and its misery. Still the tumultuous emotions this sublime object excited were pleasurable; and, viewing it, my soul rose with renewed dignity above its cares. Grasping at immortality—it seemed as impossible to stop the current of my thoughts, as of the always varying, still the same, torrent before me; I stretched out my hand to eternity, bounding over the dark speck of life to come."
katenetz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Bechdel finally turns her laser focus on herself, and it is a huge success. Incisive, insightful, honest - she takes us on a journey of self and her reflections show us our own selves. Her framing narrative of exercise fads through the years was both a clever way to talk about mind-body dualism and I was intrigued (albeit confused) by the intertwining stories of the Romantic poets and Beat poets. Bechdel's writing is at a musing pace and this works well with her subject matter. Also, she is the only writer to wax philosophical about running that has ever inspired me to even think about taking up running.
ohclaire's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
This took me several library renewals to get through—as someone just beginning to think about exercise in a meaningful way, it scared me.
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! Perfect! Loved every minute of it! I don't actually have the proper words to describe how much I loved this. I hope we don't have to wait too long for Bechdel to write another book.
mxunsmiley's review against another edition
4.0
Kinda crazy how I saw parallels between my own pathetic quest for transcendence and hers. I think the last page was especially poignant. It was interesting to see the background for her work on Dykes to Watch Out For and her other memoirs; honestly wasn't really expecting this side of her, not in a disparaging way.
fangslibris's review against another edition
3.0
Wish I liked this more. It feels like a long ramble with nothing concrete to say.
Also disappointed in the panel of Alison wearing a pussy power hat. I really respect her, and to see her involved in something largely transphobic like that makes me sad.
Also disappointed in the panel of Alison wearing a pussy power hat. I really respect her, and to see her involved in something largely transphobic like that makes me sad.