Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Making a Scene by Constance Wu

15 reviews

spookyfaith's review

funny inspiring lighthearted sad fast-paced

4.0

This book was so good I could forgive her use of “lol” and other text slang. 
I really appreciated her honesty and willingness to own up to her mistakes as well as correct them. She doesn’t shy away from discomfort and isn’t afraid to point out where she has made mistakes. 

Her writing is both beautiful and funny; a very memorable combination. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Rape

hello_lovely13's review

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

3.25

I thought this was an easy and entertaining read. Of course, some triggering topics are discussed, but there is a consistent tone throughout the essays that gives the impression of one author. My favorite essays were “Welcome to Jurassic Park”, “Making a Scene”, and “You Do What I Say”. A lot of the essays were entertaining to read, but I often wondered why some of them were included; they either didn’t have a clear point they were trying to make or would end preemptively (the essay “Little Cassandra” is a good example of the latter because it ends just as it starts a conversation about privileges some have with opportunities while others have to work so much harder to reach the starting point others begin at). The structure of the book didn’t make much sense, but the latter half of the book was much stronger than the former because those essays had more intention in their creation rather than just random stories (which I enjoyed reading about, but it seemed a bit random and I prefer a bit more reflection and statement of purpose or lesson in an essay format). Overall, a good read, but nothing that stands out. I did enjoy hearing her opinions about representation and what others want to hear versus reality, as well as how shame fits into those narratives. This was quite honest, as she is very forthcoming with her regrets, mistakes, and flaws, and I often found these flaws relatable as well as her path to bettering herself. This isn’t a must-read to me, but I enjoyed the experience of reading it all the same.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Rape

Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexism

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Mental illness

Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Vomit, Death, and Excrement

brittanylee0302's review against another edition

emotional informative lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

This book was nothing at all what I anticipated. That being said, its definitely a very raw read. Wu addresses her issues she faced becoming an actress, & her issues with her relationships later in life. A little dry at times, but still pretty good. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Alcohol and Bullying

Minor: Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, and Violence

readingwithcoffee's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

3.5

I enjoyed this Snapchat of Constance Wu in her late thirties but I think the book she writes in her fifties or sixties we’ll be much better. 

Her mostly low self esteem in the book can be odd in the book and at times make it seem like she’s being overly hard on herself or making herself more of an underdog then she might be but given what she meant through and the idea of being easily replaceable was what one Asian American producer dangled over her to sexually harass her for years I think it make sense if you step back even if it can make you wish she stepped back a bit when recounting certain events. Largely though I thought a weakness of the book was Wu being what seemed afraid of being too easy on herself, or hard on others that leads to a lot of acceptance and forgiveness of men who frankly don’t deserve it. That said in her own words Wu finds forgiving others how they harmed her a way to free herself from victim blaming herself which I think is important to be patient with, though I think some people who experienced similar harm will find really foreign to their experiences and needs if not more averse to it. 

I really liked her like many other women of color talking about harm within the community being  used to silence you because you’re afraid of harming the community by talking about how you are experiencing harm from someone within it or a prominent “ally”. I also really liked how she talked about when she gave a disjointed but frankly understandable and over judged response to the show she was abused being renewed no one cared that an out of character out burst signaled something was probably wrong in her life in some way but care at the idea she lost face or wasn’t grateful enough for crumbs. Similarly how she talks about how both non Asians and Asians try to force her mom to fit a Tiger mom stereotype she doesn’t to suit their comforts and limited ideas of Asians and women. 

I loved the taxi Can story in NYC though I understand why someone could look at this essay collection and wonder why some were included at all and while non linear essays or books are fine there definitely were times the transitions were rough and it seemed like starting all over even if multiple events and things layer to make us who we are now. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Misogyny, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Rape

l1brarygirl's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Racism, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief

Minor: Pregnancy

taylynnmazz's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Mental illness

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual harassment

heatherjchin's review

informative reflective tense medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Sexual violence, Racism, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Cursing

theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

Admittedly, I didn’t know much of anything about Constance Wu before listening to her audiobook. I knew she was an actor and mother but that’s it. I’ve never watched Fresh Off the Boat or Crazy Rich Asians. I didn’t know anything about her “ungrateful” tweet (thank you google search) or about the SH she experienced at the hands of a producer; referred to only as M— . 

To me, this felt more like a “let me tell you *my* side of the story” memoir; which is totally in her right to publish. I guess I just didn’t feel connected to her story becuase I am not familiar with her career.

In the end it was entertaining. some essays were sad and upsetting, others were cute and funny. I don’t regret borrowing it from the library. And I will definitely be adding FOTB and CRA to my watch list. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment and Rape

Moderate: Bullying, Suicide attempt, Cursing, and Toxic relationship

aturb92's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Bullying