Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom

33 reviews

readswithcocktails's review

I don't know how to say this without it sounding like I'm trash talking Rachel Bloom. It's really hard to read a memoir of someone who thinks they're self-aware, but actually lacks that quality. The opening chapter where she gatekeeps who can say that they were bullied was a lot. Especially when she acknowledged how much privilege she actually has to have never been bullied because of her race, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc but then doubles down on how her bullying was the worst. Bullying of any sort is awful and traumatic. Everyone's trauma is their own, but listening her explain why her trauma is worse than others even while acknowledging her privilege was a lot. It didn't feel like punching down, but it did feel insensitive. This level of almost self reflection and poorly calculated jokes continued to happen until I couldn't any more. Maybe the humor just isn't for me? There were some really funny and touching parts, but that wasn't enough to keep me going.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Excrement

One chapter is just HP fanfic and there are repeated references to Hogwarts houses in spite of the author having a whole preamble about how she understands JKR is transphobic and harmful

leanderson's review

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, and Bullying

sharkycharming's review

funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

If you enjoy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, you are likely to enjoy the memoir. If you've never seen it, try to catch an episode (or watch one of her videos on the internet) because her sense of humor is what my 74 year old roommate would call "earthy." She doesn't hold back about her own bodily functions, for example. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Excrement

Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Sexism

Minor: Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Misogyny

lena04's review

dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying and Panic attacks/disorders

alybark's review

emotional funny fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying and Sexism

akadie's review

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, and Excrement

Minor: Antisemitism, Blood, and Death

milliebrierley's review

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Bullying

rosalind's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Bullying

witmol's review

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

I've never seen 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' so I didn't know who Rachel Bloom was before I picked up this book but if you've ever been an awkward person who is now proud of who you've become, if you've ever wanted to embrace your flaws and turn them into an apology poem (or musical script, or adult theme park) this is the book for you.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

nicolaparty's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Mental illness

Moderate: Excrement

Minor: Antisemitism