Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion

Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino

53 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.

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ammmiiiii's review against another edition

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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).

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lilyclare2's review

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informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

Wanted to like the whole of this more, but still loved the Pure Heroines chapter!

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mads_jpg's review against another edition

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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.

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laurelmb's review

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challenging reflective medium-paced

5.0

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camoo3032's review against another edition

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challenging reflective medium-paced

3.75

The first half was a bit of a struggle to get through but I thoroughly enjoyed the second half. My biggest criticism would be that she often recounts information or includes personal tales that are tangential to the point that she's trying to make. I also fear that aspects of this book will lose their relevance the further away we get from the Trump Administrative

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lilysueparker's review

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is the quickest recommendation I’ve ever had for a book. I was continuously challenged, delighted, frustrated, and moved to tears. Tolentino has created an astoundingly congruent series of reflections on what it means to be a woman, to be American, to be alive. I see myself returning to this book again and again.

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