Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

76 reviews

aleyajo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

4.25

It’s fascinating what elements of culture counter-culture groups choose to keep / implement - the patriarchy is dangerous wherever it exists.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

eamurray03's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Love love love loooove. This book will be on my mind for years to come. Sinclair is a bad ass. So beautiful and heart-wrenching. Must read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

stellahadz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This is easily one of the best memoirs I've ever read. The prose is beautiful, the story is captivating, and as someone with only very superficial knowledge of Rastafari, it was fascinating to learn more about the lived experiences of someone who grew up in that movement. I absolutely recommend this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, and Abortion

readandfindout's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.75

Style/writing: 5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Perspective: 4.5 stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Racism and Colonisation

Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage

motherofladybirds's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

rmla's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail

fkshg8465's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Oh wow. Speechless. Ending was not what I expected. So much intergenerational anguish and fighting for survival. And I loved all the poetry too. Hoping to read more of her works after having finished this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

roohanin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

 

 An intense, emotional rollercoaster that reveals the harrowing consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity. Safia Sinclair's poetic prowess and compelling narrative make this memoir an unforgettable read. 

Reading "How to Say Babylon" by Safia Sinclair was an intense and emotional journey that required multiple breaks to process. The memoir is a gripping rollercoaster of emotions, making me cry, and sharing in her anger and despair. Sinclair’s story starkly illustrates the consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity.

Before diving into this book, I was unfamiliar with Rastafarianism. The extensive backstory provided, even before her birth, was enlightening. However, it became clear that her family's extreme practice of religion should not be seen as a definitive representation of Rastafarianism. I suspect there is much more to the faith than what was depicted in her father's household, encompassing both positive and negative aspects.

I rarely use the word "hate" due to its intensity, but I genuinely hated her father throughout the book. His actions were profoundly disturbing. Despite the darkness, I was relieved to see Sinclair eventually finding a support system for her brother and mother.

Safia Sinclair masterfully crafts a coherent and compelling story arc in her memoir. While I typically do not enjoy poetry, as I often struggle to understand it, her poetic prowess shines through her prose. Although some of her poetic language puzzled me, I could still grasp the overarching meanings and emotions she conveyed. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism

karleeread's review against another edition

emotional informative tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage

mshahan's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence