Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese

6 reviews

jayisreading's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

The affinity that a number of queer people have with the monstrous is one that is explored in depth in this essay collection. I was invested in what each contributor had to say about their thoughts on their queer identity in relation to a horror film of their choice, which ranged from classic slashers to non-US horror films. Furthermore, this is an incredibly diverse collection of essays, not only in terms of how queerness is defined, but many of these authors also consider their race and/or disability. The contributors’ respective reflections really revealed the complexities of how the monster has been defined by culture and society, some taking a more academic tone when discussing this, while others had a more conversational tone.

Like any edited collection, I found some essays stronger than others. Overall, though, I’d say that it’s rather difficult to call any of them weak. Well worth picking up if you’re interested in horror (and a number of these essays don’t shy away from it, fair warning) and queerness. Relatedly, I recommend picking up Queer Little Nightmares: An Anthology of Monstrous Fiction and Poetry edited by David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli, if you’re looking for more queer monstrosity.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Ableism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Racism, and Transphobia

Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Alcoholism, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pedophilia, and Suicide

thegayestghost's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Biphobia, Death, Grief, Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Infertility, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Child death, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence

foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Transphobia, Ableism, Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Sexual assault

mfrisk's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

This is such a great read on the intersections of horror movies and queerness. There are a variety of stories and I look forward to the authors continuing to beach out more. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Dysphoria

taelights's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

While I did like some of the essays in this book and found some of the topics in it fascinating, this wasn't what I expected. I pictured more of a focus on horror through a queer eye and why the authors believe certain horror movies portray queer experiences. While some of the essays focused on this I found a lot of the essays were mainly focused on the writer's personal lives with some vague connections back to the horror movies. I did enjoy this a bit but wouldn't really recommend it because of some weak essays and a lot of them being more just memoirs than queer looks at horror. 

My favorite essays (in order of book) were:

- The Girl, the Well, the Ring 

- Imprint 

- The Wolf Man's Daughter 

- Loving Annie Hayworth 

- Blood, Actually 

- Sight Unseen 

- Bad Hombre 

- Black Body Snatchers 

- Long Nights in the Dark 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Racism, Abandonment, Addiction, Biphobia, Blood, Homophobia, Medical content, Chronic illness, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Deadnaming, Gore, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Body horror, Bullying, Grief, Toxic relationship, Violence, Ableism, Child abuse, Lesbophobia, Self harm, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

toffishay's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

An awesome collection. I learned a lot and felt a lot with all of these essays. As someone who isn't big on horror, I've come out on the other side with a new appreciation and a new lens. I enjoyed all of the essays, but my favorites were "Both Ways" by Carmen Maria Machado, "Indescribable" by Carrow Narby, and "The Trail of His Flames" by Tucker Lieberman.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Death, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Ableism, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Medical content, Outing, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Cannibalism, Classism, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Biphobia, Body horror, Bullying, Excrement, Murder, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, and Panic attacks/disorders