Reviews tagging 'Lesbophobia'

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

202 reviews

yourbookishbff's review

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

In the Dream House felt so reminiscent to me of Children of the Land, in that both memoirs are non-linear and episodic, weaving truth abstractly to allow for a retelling of significant trauma. The use of horror devices - and the eery symbolism of the dream house - underscore the constant suspense and fear Machado experienced within an abusive relationship with her female partner. Her narrative creates new space for accounting trauma within queer relationships, and she incorporates historical discussions of intimate partner abuse in queer relationships and research into its prevalence. 

This narrative structure also helps the reader understand the slow boil of abuse and sheds light on the ways people wield power within relationships. It is a heart wrenching examination of the isolation, emotional manipulation, bullying and gaslighting of emotional abuse in particular. I also really appreciated the reflections on language and pop culture (the origin story of the term gaslighting was new to me and fascinating).

This is a horrifying and beautifully written memoir that will resonate with those who appreciate nonlinear reflections. I particularly loved the use of second person to address her younger self, and the simultaneous distance and intimacy this created for her as she examines this part of her life. 

I would also note that the audiobook is narrated by Machado and I highly recommend this format.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Biphobia, Fatphobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content

sarahjx's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual violence and Lesbophobia

regent_ace's review

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Hate crime

thewrongalice's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts

lilylovestoread's review against another edition

informative reflective sad tense

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Lesbophobia

iwishihadmoretimetoread's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, Drug use, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Cursing, Lesbophobia, Vomit, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Dementia and Drug abuse

tobooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Violence, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Homophobia, Gun violence, and Gaslighting

charlie_woodchipper's review

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

I audibly gasped many times by the description of abuse in the relationship. I've never been in an abusive relationship, and this book was eye opening, sad, tense. I had to press pause on the audibook a couple times

If you've lived through that, I'd be careful about picking this book up. It would certainly be very relatable, but also very triggering

Very glad that this was made. Like the author mentioned, it's very taboo to talk about abusive lesbian relationships, especially in the queer community. Very proud of this author for making it

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Sexual violence and Fatphobia

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Vomit

Moderate: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Biphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual assault, Rape, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, and Confinement

Minor: Dementia, Pandemic/Epidemic, War, Bullying, Gun violence, and Stalking

amyhasel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

Heartbreaking, informative, and brilliant, with circular narrative that will just keep punching you in the gut. Thank God Carmen Maria Machado is also hilarious, or every reader would be breathless with horror. Not a love story, except maybe with herself. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment

Moderate: Violence, Lesbophobia, Fatphobia, and Toxic friendship