Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino

3 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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Sexual violence, and Bullying

camoo3032's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Drug use, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Racism, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Sexism

Moderate: Suicide, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Violence

Minor: Body shaming, Genocide, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Abortion, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Sexual content, Transphobia, Classism, Slavery, Alcoholism, Antisemitism, Infidelity, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, War, and Fire/Fire injury

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

This author writes well-structured, powerful essays. Her writing will give me a lot to think about. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Death, Bullying, Classism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexism, Misogyny, Addiction, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Suicide

Moderate: Stalking, Racism, Medical content, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Religious bigotry, and Hate crime

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Cancer, Terminal illness, Ableism, Mass/school shootings, Child death, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Transphobia, and War