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Reviews tagging 'Ableism'
Ace: What Asexuality Reveals about Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen
55 reviews
librarymouse's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Ace is a well-written and thoughtful exploration of asexuality beyond the label. The dedication "for everyone who has wanted to want more" almost made me cry before I'd even started on the contents of the book. It is the gratifying and heartbreaking possibility of being known and understood within a lifetime spent feeling broken. Prior to reading this, the possibility of struggling when aging and losing my own agency/physical ability alone had always been a scary thought I tried to suppress. Chen's exploration of alternative ways of being and of forming bonds, as well as alternative community structures begs further reflection on my own part, and also offers some comfort from those fears. Finding that the l language necessary to explore and define myself and issues I find myself up against exists is incredibly valuable and validating. I have identified as asexual for about 5 years, often feeling broken along theIway. I've learned so much from this book. I want everyone I love to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, and Ableism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
cozyscones's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Racism, and Sexual assault
myk_yeah's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.75
This is an incredible read! Its very captivating and a welcome opportunity to question why we believe what we do about dating, sex, love, and relationships. It not only educates about asexual people's experiences but charts a future where everyone is truly free to say yes or no to sex, without it meaning anything about us.
The book's style is an easily-digestable nonfiction: interwoven with personal narrative, research, and people's stories from interviews. I think it's very approachable for someone new to the topic of human sexuality and did a great job of exploring intersectional identities. The audiobook is also great, but I liked having the physical copy to make underlines.
The piece on queerplatonic relationships almost made me tear up. I'm in a QPP and I basically never hear it talked about unless I'm explaining it to someone. Coming across it in a book was very moving to me.
The book's style is an easily-digestable nonfiction: interwoven with personal narrative, research, and people's stories from interviews. I think it's very approachable for someone new to the topic of human sexuality and did a great job of exploring intersectional identities. The audiobook is also great, but I liked having the physical copy to make underlines.
The piece on queerplatonic relationships almost made me tear up. I'm in a QPP and I basically never hear it talked about unless I'm explaining it to someone. Coming across it in a book was very moving to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual content
Minor: Racism and Sexual assault
emmehooks's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I was so excited to read a book about Ace folks and experiences by an Ace person but I struggled to keep interest in reading. The format just wasn’t for me and I would have enjoyed longer form anecdotes versus lots of short ones (although I see the value in many storied vs a limited few)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Ableism
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
challenging
informative
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault, Ableism, Racism, Rape, and Medical trauma
luananki's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
so validating, chen’s book contained chapters which resonated with me on a high level and a few i didn’t enjoy as much but all in all it gave some good insights and definitely more than enough aspects to think about and reflect on
also “a prude’s manifesto” by cameron awkward-rich? loved it
also “a prude’s manifesto” by cameron awkward-rich? loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual content, and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Racism
dododenise's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
A very interesting read.
There were parts I needed to hear, parts I didn’t quite like how they were worded, parts where I hoped for more perspectives, and parts that gave me new perspectives.
Overall, it made me think. It made me consider things and made me curious. It made me reconsider things I saw as settled and it opened ideas which I hadn’t thought about before.
Especially studying to become a therapist this was very valuable to take with me. But even more so, it was valuable to me as an ace person
There were parts I needed to hear, parts I didn’t quite like how they were worded, parts where I hoped for more perspectives, and parts that gave me new perspectives.
Overall, it made me think. It made me consider things and made me curious. It made me reconsider things I saw as settled and it opened ideas which I hadn’t thought about before.
Especially studying to become a therapist this was very valuable to take with me. But even more so, it was valuable to me as an ace person
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Transphobia, and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
catapocalypse's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This is an interesting introduction to and overview of the ways asexuality and aromanticism are defined, the ways sexuality and romantic vs. non-romantic relationships are defined, and the harmful ways society treats all of the above, not only for ace/aro folks but for everyone. It's more a book to help folks who are not asexual or aromantic learn about these things, rather than a personal look for anyone who does identify in those ways or is questioning. While I am not ace/aro myself, I've seen people who are say as much about this book, and recommend looking to reviewers who are for more detail on that.
For myself, I learned a lot in reading this. There are even positive things that I can apply to my own marriage and friendships.
For myself, I learned a lot in reading this. There are even positive things that I can apply to my own marriage and friendships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Ableism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
elerireads's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
A much needed book I think. Not just an exploration of the asexual experience, but also the way it intersects with other identities. More than that though, Chen turns the asexual lens back on the world and discusses the ways that ace people have had to think more deeply about certain issues and that the ideas that that thinking has produced are actually generally applicable and valuable. From more nuanced understandings of consent and sex positivity, to the societal devaluing of platonic and other nonsexual intimacy, this covers all the major bases.
It's very accessibly written - a mix of interviews with lots of different asexual people, some academic research and interspersed with bits of Chen's own experience. But she also doesn't baby us. Chapter 2 in particular is a massive info-dump, I suspect to get through the 'educating' part so she could get onto the more interesting discussions, so I can imagine if you're completely new to this stuff it might be a bit of a jargon overload. Could have done with a glossary I think, so I'd recommend having a pen and paper out for that chapter in particular! Otherwise, it wasn't among the best nonfiction writing I've ever read, but honestly I think a big part of that is that I like my nonfiction to be underpinned by a lot of underlying research... which is understandably thin on the ground in this case.
It's very accessibly written - a mix of interviews with lots of different asexual people, some academic research and interspersed with bits of Chen's own experience. But she also doesn't baby us. Chapter 2 in particular is a massive info-dump, I suspect to get through the 'educating' part so she could get onto the more interesting discussions, so I can imagine if you're completely new to this stuff it might be a bit of a jargon overload. Could have done with a glossary I think, so I'd recommend having a pen and paper out for that chapter in particular! Otherwise, it wasn't among the best nonfiction writing I've ever read, but honestly I think a big part of that is that I like my nonfiction to be underpinned by a lot of underlying research... which is understandably thin on the ground in this case.
Content Warnings
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Ableism, Sexual violence, and Rape
zombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book was very well done. The author masterfully explains basic concepts while avoiding getting stuck in the 101 area. She raises some great questions that don't all get answered but that are important for a wide range of people to ponder. I learned so much from this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Transphobia, Rape, Gaslighting, Sexism, Racism, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, and Chronic illness
Minor: Dementia, Dysphoria, Cursing, and Infidelity
Forced sterilization