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ladev12's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Vomit
booksbutmakeitgay's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Medical trauma, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Vomit, and Xenophobia
biblizo's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide attempt
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
4.5
This is such a poignant, raw, and honest memoir. Jesse recounts truly traumatic and difficult times in his life, at times difficult to read - which left me reeling with the reality that he had lived all of this, that there are people living experiences like these even now.
Thistle recounted all of his lived experiences so incredibly well. There were small elements of dark humour, that shocked me when I had a little laugh in such a serious narrative. But I also cried at a few parts of his story, my heart hurting with his. It is such an important story and I am so glad I read his story.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, and Racism
Minor: Cancer, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Death of a grandparentashcalfe's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Medical trauma, and Drug use
Moderate: Racism
sunsetcity's review against another edition
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
bretagnereads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Bullying, Infidelity, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Excrement, and Domestic abuse
generous1star's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Medical content, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Racism
christinam's review against another edition
5.0
From The Ashes was a contender in Canada Reads 2020 and the 2nd best selling Canadian Book of 2020. Like most of the books I've read as of late, I don't think I would have read this on my own. We had the opportunity to virtually meet with Jesse and it was one of the highlights of 2020 for me. He was so open and honest with us as we asked questions about the book and his life. I can't thank him enough for taking the time to meet with us.
Over the last few weeks, I've struggled to find the words that'll do this book justice. And I've yet to find them. This book manages to be both heartbreaking and inspiring. No one should have any of the experiences Jesse outlines in this book. But in reality, some of the ordeals he went through are common for many individuals experiencing homelessness, struggling with substance abuse and battling their own inner demons. I've thought about this book at least once a week since I've finished it. About the ineffective policies, harmful myths and misconceptions, the moral superiority and stigma, that reinforce and act against folks who want to break cycles and forge a different path.
This book showed me how easy it is to reduce the multifacetedness of people who face some of the struggles Jesse details in his book to labels. It is necessary to understand they are complete people who are worthy of self-determination, respect and assistance on their terms without paternalism and contempt. When you find yourself ready to pass judgement, as you read this book or engage with initiatives for marginalized folks in your community, I ask that you introspect on those feelings. And then consider them from the perspectives of Jesse and others who have faced similar struggles as whole people and not labels.
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual assault
linesiunderline's review against another edition
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, Medical trauma, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts