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handful_of_frogs's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
aymboi's review against another edition
The book is about the author's abusive queer relationship and I think she did a good job detailing these experiences in an emotional and reflective way while also talking about how abuse in queer relationships is often overlooked in society.
The structure is different from other books I have read and it made this very hard to put down. I will probably be thinking about this for a while and I definitely recommend it!!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
5.0
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.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Biphobia, Fatphobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content
bt_wannabe's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
lina_etcaetera's review against another edition
1.0
Graphic: Sexual content
sarahjx's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual violence and Lesbophobia
gansey_02's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
abigailstone10's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Biphobia, Blood, Grief, and Homophobia
alicia_ann_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Partly because I could see my own trauma all throughout and it was written in the second person which made it incredibly cathartic; but also because the author interspersed her memoir with information, other stories and events that paralleled or highlighted her, and others experiences and was written in an almost poetic manner.
Just such a phenomenal book.
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug abuse
minniepauline's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the way this book felt like notes, like research, like an academic paper, and still landed its punches (metaphorical and otherwise) with such precision. The short chapters kept me turning the pages, as did the brilliant demonstration of what Machado went through, toward the middle of the book (no spoilers here). She mixes research and her own story with a poet’s eye. I’m floored by this book. I will read whatever she writes.
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse