Reviews with content warning for Adult/minor relationship - In the Dream House

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Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

60 reviews

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

3.5

in the dream house is a singular memoir, one w/ a unique - even ingenious - structure that masterfully distills the volatile and oscillating emotions, particularly tense fear, of the abused.

machado recounts and examines her personal experience of an abusive relationship through the lens of various artistic genres, objects, things, ideas, lending each chapter an eerie, tense, sometimes detached feeling. the aforementioned is also framed against the larger historical backdrop of overlooked and non-mainstream subject of abuse in queer and lesbian relationships, and i learned a lot from the existing canon that's included in the book.

overall, a distinctive memoir on an oft under-discussed experience that's also able to critically discuss larger historical and social contexts.

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plethora's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I don't read things quickly, and I read this in a day. The formatting makes each page or so its own self-contained reflection, so it was perfect for my distractable brain to pick up and put down between texts (I know, I'm the worst). As a 90's nerd kid every reference in this felt relatable to me. And I so applaud the author for choosing to convey her truth the way she did.

When I got to page 162 I audibly squealed with glee at the choice.

This books is as much an anthology that points and screams at the undercurrent of Queer history that has been suppressed for centuries by cishet institutions, as it is a personal memoir. Carmen Maria Machado has made a point to champion her community while holding it accountable to the reality its members face.

The author's play and use with genre, theme, format made following this story that much more invigorating, while imbuing the reader's journey with the same fragmented, recursive, reflective search for clarity we all feel in the

aftermath of a toxic and abusive relationship. Reading this felt like sitting with a friend trying to make sense of their last relationship over a bottle of wine.

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katiecatlady's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I can always tell a book will stay with me when I'm not quite sure how to feel about it. This book made me uncomfortable, but in very important ways, and gave me a lot to reflect on. Would definitely recommend it.

Edit: have updated my rating to 5 stars because I can't stop thinking about it. I love it so much and it has found a place in my heart.

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poltoreveur's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75

I love the idea of having the readers go through with the different genres and analogies but still within the narrative so we could still understand the story.

You are sitting through an abusive “Love Story“ Which I don’t necessarily feel even calling it that. After reading everything about their relationship it is anything but loving.

The dynamic of both people in the story it’s what an abusive relationship is but these are things that are overlooked only by the fact that it is a queer relationship though they are also a lot of other abusive relationships that are left unresolved. With the victim having to succumb to their abusers' behaviour, it is still sick to know that some abusive acts are still legal in states and countries around the world.

This is a story that sadly, A lot of us are familiar with. Though this did take the lead through the lens of a queer relationship, It still doesn’t change the fact that abuse can come up however and whoever the abuser may be.

An abuser is still an abuser, no matter how you try to turn it into pretty words.

The ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ was the most interesting to me. It relies on the readers deciding to go on with the story but it gets you into their (the victim’s) head. Because yes, you do have the ability to go off on your own but still within the book’s terms; making you question and doubt as to if we were in the writer's position.

I felt the story was left a little bit unresolved but I do feel that is how the author wanted the story to be as much as it is, without closure.

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emilywasbored's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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saintsunshine's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.25

Deeply engaging and often emotionally challenging, Carmen Maria Machado has crafted a wholely unique memoir in In the Dream House. Machado places her story of domestic abuse amid historical and cultural contexts that often ignores queer women. Dream House is as informative as it is personal, and I deeply enjoyed it. Though difficult to get through at times, Machado's poignant memoir will likely become a classic in the genre in years to come.

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averyblr's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Wow. okay. first opening line.
"If you need this book, it is for you"
And Jesus did I need this book. I often have trouble putting words to feelings I have and to find those words my first step is finding media that pertains to whatever it is I'm going through.
Needless to say, given that this was 5 stars for me, those words were found and they broke my ribs and they festered there and then they made me feel better about everything.
I don't know that I've ever gotten through a book like this. Like I was devouring it. I think I often struggle with waiting until the ending of a book but in this case, I wanted to live in there forever.

I think part of that could be just how fully seen I felt and how fresh my feelings are but I also think that this is objectively incredibly well written.

READ THIS.
if you've been in an abusive relationship (especially a queer one. Oh my god.)
If you've ever read Little Weirds by Jenny Slate- this is like her battered (lol) older sister and she's here to kill you.
If you're only ever gonna read one book for the rest of your life. Let it be this one

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