Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

517 reviews

aserna0831's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship

salemander's review against another edition

5.0

one of the most beautiful written and formatted books i’ve ever read. the looming sense of dread throughout as she falls deeper into abuse was heartbreaking, yet she fills the narrative with reminders that she will be free and it will not last forever. a gorgeous memoir.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit

snrez24's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

mirandalikesbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

This was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. 

The thing that sets this book apart is the way it was written. The tone feels like poetry while equally being digestible and readable. The switch between first and second person was such an interesting way to tell a story. The "I" was disconnected from the "you" but still told told a cohesive account of Machado's story. The you chapters invited the reader in to examine the parts of their reality that they are disconnected from too. 

This perspective on domestic abuse intersected with queer culture intersected with fat culture and with religious trauma is engaging and terrible and inspiring. 

A wonderful read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Stalking, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Homophobia

Moderate: Fatphobia and Body shaming

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, and Mental illness

readwithev's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Loved this! It was insightful, reflective, and emotionally cutting. Machado utilizes second person to so well, i felt uncomfortable and affronted in many scenes. It is painful and fair warning this book is triggering.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Vomit

moonlitemuseum's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

3.75

Dark, sad, and beautifully told.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Bullying, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Infidelity, and Lesbophobia

handful_of_frogs's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

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

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

(no rating since it's a memoir)

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!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual content

niareads78's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Gaslighting

shadysands's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense

4.75

Initially confused and found the short chapters and referring to third person a little confusing to follow. However, when I hot into this I found the poetic prose of the book the most captivating part. The chaotic jumping between stories and events, representing the disorganised nature of DV victims. A truly insightful piece on how unhealthy relationships develop, with important thinking around how this is represented within queer communities.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting