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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: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
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: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
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: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Blood, and Grief
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: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse and Alcohol
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: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
regent_ace's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
carolibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia and Homophobia