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pageglue's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Aiden Shaw’s Penis is a collection of short stories and creative nonfiction that deals with the topic of censorship. As is the case with most story collections, especially from multiple authors, it’s going to be hit and miss, so rather than judging it by averaging out the quality of each story, I’m judging it based on how it curated the topic.
Censorship, when confronting it head on, is such a blunt subject. The ‘who’ and the ‘what’ of censorship is very straightforward, and, narratively speaking, it’s very easy to identify the villain of authoritarianism. The stories that interested me most in this collection that dealt with the topic in a more nuanced, amorphous way, the ‘how’ and the ‘why’.
Nathan Alling Long’s ‘The Song Bird’ explored a woman silencing herself for her abusive partner. ‘The Many Lives of Denola’ by Timi Odueso portrayed parenting/discipline as a kind of censorship through the use of the ‘cautionary tale’. The story that most resonated with me was ‘Refracted’ by Stephanie Wilderspin, which told the story of a queer woman with depression and OCD who has a crush on her new housemate, but is trying to hide those aspects of herself for the sake of not making those around her uncomfortable.
My favourite story though was ‘Cuttings’ by Michael Harris Cohen, which was about a government censor in 19th C. Prussia was going blind. The writing was really transportive and Cohen was very subtle with the theme.
Overall, despite only “enjoying” maybe half of the stories here, I think it was a successful project and I’d recommend it.
Censorship, when confronting it head on, is such a blunt subject. The ‘who’ and the ‘what’ of censorship is very straightforward, and, narratively speaking, it’s very easy to identify the villain of authoritarianism. The stories that interested me most in this collection that dealt with the topic in a more nuanced, amorphous way, the ‘how’ and the ‘why’.
Nathan Alling Long’s ‘The Song Bird’ explored a woman silencing herself for her abusive partner. ‘The Many Lives of Denola’ by Timi Odueso portrayed parenting/discipline as a kind of censorship through the use of the ‘cautionary tale’. The story that most resonated with me was ‘Refracted’ by Stephanie Wilderspin, which told the story of a queer woman with depression and OCD who has a crush on her new housemate, but is trying to hide those aspects of herself for the sake of not making those around her uncomfortable.
My favourite story though was ‘Cuttings’ by Michael Harris Cohen, which was about a government censor in 19th C. Prussia was going blind. The writing was really transportive and Cohen was very subtle with the theme.
Overall, despite only “enjoying” maybe half of the stories here, I think it was a successful project and I’d recommend it.
bookynooknook's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
netsreadsbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
'Aiden Shaw's Penis' is something I wasn't prepared for. It changed my perspective on so many things. As I read these various stories, I realised that my idea of censorship was quite blinkered before. My view has been expanded from things in the public domain being censored and being almost forced on us to now realising personal and internal censorship. The third authors contribution was where I stopped and thought... "Wow!" I found it incredibly relatable and brought it to my attention that I, as we all do, censor myself and my thoughts every day without thinking. That made me question a lot of things about why we do it and whether we should.
This book gave me the opportunity to look at myself, my surroundings and the things that are publicly seen and make some different choices day to day.
Really enjoyed it and very thankful for being able to read this.
Many thanks to @randomthingstours, @annecater14 and @imprint27 for the copy of this in return for a review
This book gave me the opportunity to look at myself, my surroundings and the things that are publicly seen and make some different choices day to day.
Really enjoyed it and very thankful for being able to read this.
Many thanks to @randomthingstours, @annecater14 and @imprint27 for the copy of this in return for a review
bookasaurusbex's review
5.0
I was incredibly excited and am very grateful to receive a copy of this absolutely stunning collection of stories and writings about Censorship from @randomthingstours and @imprint_27
I devoured these stories and actually read a lot of them twice - they absolutely enchanted me. There are allegories, criticisms and historical reflections among other writings in this collection and they all explore Censorship in ways that I didn't even consider prior to reading.
I have been introduced to a number of writers and perspectives and I cannot think of a better endorsement for this collection than to give you some of my favourite quotes from the book itself.
Each is from a different story within the collection.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention just how beautiful this book is. Each story has an illustration, titles embossed in pink and pink pages separating the stories. It is stunning.
I recommend everyone picks this up - it will make you reflect on your privilege, the value of words and the nature of media worldwide.
I devoured these stories and actually read a lot of them twice - they absolutely enchanted me. There are allegories, criticisms and historical reflections among other writings in this collection and they all explore Censorship in ways that I didn't even consider prior to reading.
I have been introduced to a number of writers and perspectives and I cannot think of a better endorsement for this collection than to give you some of my favourite quotes from the book itself.
Each is from a different story within the collection.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention just how beautiful this book is. Each story has an illustration, titles embossed in pink and pink pages separating the stories. It is stunning.
I recommend everyone picks this up - it will make you reflect on your privilege, the value of words and the nature of media worldwide.
technicolour's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
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