intoblossom's review
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Child abuse
Minor: Police brutality and Racism
samarakroeger's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I haven’t enjoyed reading a book this much in a long time (big slump alert!). Never heard of Deborah Levy before picking this up in the bookstore and seeing it was a short memoir about women and writing (aka perfectly up my alley). I’ve been seeking out writers on writing, consciously or subconsciously, for a little while now.
That being said, this type of book is obviously not for everyone. I thought the book improved as it went and I basically read it twice as I went back in to add some annotations. It was better the second time.
The second part (in South Africa) reminded me of Tove Ditlevsen’s Childhood in narrative tone (a huge plus for me).
I must read more from her.
That being said, this type of book is obviously not for everyone. I thought the book improved as it went and I basically read it twice as I went back in to add some annotations. It was better the second time.
The second part (in South Africa) reminded me of Tove Ditlevsen’s Childhood in narrative tone (a huge plus for me).
I must read more from her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Colonisation, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Kidnapping, and Torture
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Antisemitism, and Violence
utuisuus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Slavery
meremeth's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I was literally sobbing reading this book, not because it was sad! But because it was just what I needed to hear.
Recommend to any women writers or artists.
The opening chapter is one of my favourite openings I have ever read.
"Should I accept my lot? If I was to buy a ticket and travel all the way to acceptance, if I was to greet it and shake its hand, if I was to entwine my fingers with acceptance and walk hand in hand with acceptance every day, what would that feel like? After a while I realised I could not accept my question. A female writer cannot afford to feel her life too clearly. Of she does, she will write in rage when she should write calmly."
Recommend to any women writers or artists.
The opening chapter is one of my favourite openings I have ever read.
"Should I accept my lot? If I was to buy a ticket and travel all the way to acceptance, if I was to greet it and shake its hand, if I was to entwine my fingers with acceptance and walk hand in hand with acceptance every day, what would that feel like? After a while I realised I could not accept my question. A female writer cannot afford to feel her life too clearly. Of she does, she will write in rage when she should write calmly."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Police brutality, Forced institutionalization, and Slavery
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