Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion by Jia Tolentino

10 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. 

---

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 

---

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

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

I listened to this pretty quickly. Liked some parts much more than others. Some of the writing got a little drag-y, and I noticed I zoned out in some parts because of it. I don't think I would've liked it if I physically read it instead of listening to it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Drug use, Misogyny, Rape, Alcohol, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

saskiahill's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

The first 4 essays were brilliant and I understood and found their content engaging and intriguing. I got lost in the essay about ecstasy and religion and never fully recovered from there (though the final essay on marriage was interesting). I tend to read books as a whole, but perhaps this is better digested as a series of one-offs, and if I'd chosen the essays based on my mood and interest in the subject matter I might have enjoyed them all as much as the first 4!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Sexual assault, Murder, Religious bigotry, Racism, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Sexual violence, and Sexism

Minor: Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, and Alcohol

alishamegan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Difficult at times, absolutely necessary all the time. I related to a lot here. Great essays that brought something fresh to someone intermediately versed in feminist theories but intensely approachable to any reader. The further reading and references also add a great deal so you get something different than just the author's voice as well as a great launching pad into other literature discussing related themes.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Slavery

Minor: Alcohol, Classism, Alcoholism, Genocide, and Injury/Injury detail

julied's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Misogyny

Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, and Homophobia

bootsmom3's review against another edition

challenging funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Body shaming, Gaslighting, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Alcohol

janiswong's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

I really enjoyed reading this book after many positive reviews of Tolentino's writing. The short pieces brilliantly marry millennial culture with personal experiences that is contextualised to resonate with the audience. I particularly enjoyed Ecstasy for its clever interwoven stories and The Story of a Generation in Seven Scams that narrates how scandals in capitalism have shaped our society.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use

annchmn's review

informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Alcohol and Drug use

orlagal's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body horror, Cultural appropriation, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Homophobia