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Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'
Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino
94 reviews
wenwanzhao's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I first started this book when I was 18. I thought that Tolentino’s prose was masterful and that her critique was mind blowing. Back then, her articles were part of what introduced me to theory in relation to culture. Finishing this book three years into a social science degree, I found that I have more criticisms and disagreements with her essays. I still think her prose is great. There are some beautiful lines in these essays. But I’ve read so many essays and articles now. I’m able to see more flaws in her lines of reasoning. I can form thoughtful critiques of her subject matter. It’s strange how what once seemed to me like pinnacle of culture criticism now reads more like theory dumbed down for a general audience. Picking the book up again years later really showed me the level of growth I’ve had over the years.
I still enjoyed these essays. The one on religion and ecstasy was my favourite. I imagine myself going back to it. It does feel very dated to what people were thinking about in the mid- to late-2010s, but I find that being able to pinpoint the cultural atmosphere something was written in is not an inherently bad trait. I still read Tolentino’s articles from time to time. She has a unique voice and discernment that I find compelling.
I still enjoyed these essays. The one on religion and ecstasy was my favourite. I imagine myself going back to it. It does feel very dated to what people were thinking about in the mid- to late-2010s, but I find that being able to pinpoint the cultural atmosphere something was written in is not an inherently bad trait. I still read Tolentino’s articles from time to time. She has a unique voice and discernment that I find compelling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Sexual violence, and Bullying
ammmiiiii's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
A collection of thought-provoking, outstandingly written essays about life, love, sexism, misogyny, racism, and growing up. Each one is short enough not to be tedious and simultaneously long enough to really explore the topic. It’s evident that writing comes naturally to Tolentino.
My two favourites were Pure Heroines (which examines the changing presentation of heroines in literature over time) and We Come From Old Virginia (which explores the intersection between rape/rape culture and gender using the University of Virginia as an example).
My two favourites were Pure Heroines (which examines the changing presentation of heroines in literature over time) and We Come From Old Virginia (which explores the intersection between rape/rape culture and gender using the University of Virginia as an example).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual violence
Minor: Racism and Drug use
lolasherwin's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, and Rape
lilyclare2's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Wanted to like the whole of this more, but still loved the Pure Heroines chapter!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
This is in the Old Virginia chapter which can be skipped if needed.mads_jpg's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Yet another audiobook that was so good I need to read my own physical copy so I can annotate it. So many interesting stories and analyses that I need to pour over again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Cultural appropriation
owenwilsonbaby's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
‘The nature of a revelation is that you don't have to re-experience it; you don't even have to believe whatever is revealed to hang on to it for as long as you want. In the seventies, researchers believed that MDMA treatment would be discrete and limited—that once you got the message, as they put it, you could hang up the phone. You would be better for having listened. You would be changed. They don't say this about religion, but they should.’
I really enjoyed this, particularly the essays ‘The I in Internet,’ ‘Ecstasy,’ ‘The Story of a Generation in Seven Scams,’ and ‘We Come From Old Virginia.’ Tolentino’s writing style is sharp and her voice is compelling. She often articulated feelings I’ve had about the internet, for example, with shocking ease and extraordinary understanding, in a way that I never could.
I struggled with one small part at the end of ‘The Cult of the Difficult Woman,’ where I felt there was a less evenly-weighted mixture of grace and criticism directed towards Hillary Clinton - it felt very idolising and a bit uncomfortable to read when the rest of the book was so nuanced, thoughtful and critical.
I really enjoyed this, particularly the essays ‘The I in Internet,’ ‘Ecstasy,’ ‘The Story of a Generation in Seven Scams,’ and ‘We Come From Old Virginia.’ Tolentino’s writing style is sharp and her voice is compelling. She often articulated feelings I’ve had about the internet, for example, with shocking ease and extraordinary understanding, in a way that I never could.
I struggled with one small part at the end of ‘The Cult of the Difficult Woman,’ where I felt there was a less evenly-weighted mixture of grace and criticism directed towards Hillary Clinton - it felt very idolising and a bit uncomfortable to read when the rest of the book was so nuanced, thoughtful and critical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, Racism, and Rape
haleyburns0123's review
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
czarra's review
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
phretta98's review
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Racism
jinglebellyee's review
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The soci in me had such a fun time reading these short articles about self-identity, womanhood/feminism, internet culture and more. Am excited to read more from Jia Tolentino!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, and Sexual assault