Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

How to Write an Autobiographical Novel: Essays by Alexander Chee

8 reviews

ckrysiak's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

Such incredible and thought-provoking writing from Chee. This was my first time reading his work, and I put the book down feeling inspired and reflective after every chapter. I did find myself craving more of the story styles from the first third of the book, as I loved Chee's way of describing environments and bodies. However, I still much appreciated his knack for making any topic - simple or incredibly complex - relatable and insightful. Every chapter, every short story, felt like closure; a warm hug in a world that wants to give us the cold shoulder. 
This novel offered a tasteful mix of niche experiences with death, AIDS, and romance; as well as the opposite: the journey of a writer, rose gardens, and spaces one can occupy while living in New York. 
I did find some parts a bit redundant, specifically in hearing Chee's struggles with certain topics surrounding being a writer, but it didn't push me away. 
Overall, this left a remarkable impression on me. I can't wait to see what Chee brings to the table next.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Xenophobia, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, and Chronic illness

owenwilsonbaby's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

"Of all the things that hadn't happened, this was maybe the most bitter to consider as I said goodbye. And yet I understood. Here, at least, was a choice to make. A way to feel free, even if that was all you felt."

This was incredible. It's only March but probably my favourite read of the year? Which is such a nice change because I usually find it hard to get into non fiction and essays. All of it was so deftly, fantastically written that it was a struggle to pick out a single favourite quote. Other strong quote contenders: the rose garden growing back stronger, the reason why you write in the face of adversity. Chee is an insanely talented storyteller, and has so much to say about life experiences, identity, activism, love, growth, trauma and writing itself. I feel like a different person after reading this, and trying to sum it up in this review feels cheap. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Child abuse, Racism, and Homophobia

margaretrose's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism

greenteadragon's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Police brutality, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Death of parent, Death, and Racism

Minor: Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, and Racial slurs

catherinemcfall's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Adult/minor relationship

mariannes's review against another edition

challenging reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

manarnia's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is phenomenal. I enjoyed reading it so much. Chee is a brilliant essayist, and while each essay stands alone just fine, this collection builds narratively in a way that I have never seen in another essay collection. This book is smart, sincere, and painfully honest. It's very intense at times, but it is very good all the way through. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia

yrioona's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Grief