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Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'
The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
32 reviews
avisreadsandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Transphobia, and Confinement
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism
Minor: Chronic illness, Violence, and Ableism
myclutteredbookshelf's review against another edition
3.5
American singer-songwriter Janelle Monáe released her third studio album Dirty Computer in 2018, accompanied by a short film of the same name. The film follows a trio of lovers—Jane (Monáe), Zen (Tessa Thompson), and Ché (Jayson Aaron)—living in a future where the government deems anyone that isn't white, monogamous, or heterosexual as "dirty computers." These individuals are constantly at risk of being abducted by law enforcement and taken to the House of New Dawn to have their memories deleted. In The Memory Librarian, Monáe collaborates with a team of established authors—Yohanca Delgado, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Sheree Thomas, Danny Lore, and Eve Ewing—to further explore the world of Dirty Computer outside the context of the film.
Now, as a fan of Monáe's music, I must admit that I was both excited and apprehensive about reading this collection. Monáe has already proved herself to be a skilled lyricist and storyteller with her first two albums, which detail the exploits of android fugitive Cindi Mayweather. However, there is a huge difference between writing songs and writing prose, and while I don't want to imply that collaborative writing projects are inferior to solo ones, I couldn't help but worry that this was a sign that Monáe was out of her depth.
Read the full review at My Cluttered Bookshelf.
Now, as a fan of Monáe's music, I must admit that I was both excited and apprehensive about reading this collection. Monáe has already proved herself to be a skilled lyricist and storyteller with her first two albums, which detail the exploits of android fugitive Cindi Mayweather. However, there is a huge difference between writing songs and writing prose, and while I don't want to imply that collaborative writing projects are inferior to solo ones, I couldn't help but worry that this was a sign that Monáe was out of her depth.
Read the full review at My Cluttered Bookshelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Classism, Racism, Police brutality, Chronic illness, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
mothreadsbookssometimes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The Memory Librarian is wonderfully written, and features such a diverse cast of characters. It is a collection of short stories, featuring mostly queer, POC main characters. I’ve been reflecting on the stories since I started the book and it’s been interesting to think about.
It featured a unique government and technology system that felt realistic, but I really struggled to wrap my head around it for some reason. That was more of a personal issue, though.
My main issue with the book is really the opposite of a problem, and that is that I wanted more in the book. I found that by the time I settled into a story, it ended and switched to the next story and characters.
Quick ratings of each short story (spoiler-free)
The Memory Librarian - 4.5/5; I loved the relationship and it established the world very well.
Nevermind - 4/5; it was a really good story but the ending felt a little weak and I wanted more.
Timebox - 3/5; this was straight out of the Twilight Zone, but I really didn’t get it.
Save Changes - 5/5; my favorite of the stories—the writing was excellent and the plot was so great.
Timebox Altar(ed) : 5/5; it was so full of optimism and the writing style was beautiful.
It featured a unique government and technology system that felt realistic, but I really struggled to wrap my head around it for some reason. That was more of a personal issue, though.
My main issue with the book is really the opposite of a problem, and that is that I wanted more in the book. I found that by the time I settled into a story, it ended and switched to the next story and characters.
Quick ratings of each short story (spoiler-free)
The Memory Librarian - 4.5/5; I loved the relationship and it established the world very well.
Nevermind - 4/5; it was a really good story but the ending felt a little weak and I wanted more.
Timebox - 3/5; this was straight out of the Twilight Zone, but I really didn’t get it.
Save Changes - 5/5; my favorite of the stories—the writing was excellent and the plot was so great.
Timebox Altar(ed) : 5/5; it was so full of optimism and the writing style was beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Racism, and Police brutality
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Transphobia, Police brutality, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Homophobia, Violence, Gun violence, Drug use, and Racism
Minor: Sexual content and Chronic illness
dreareads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
UGH! I love it when Science Fiction and social commentary come together to make such a creative, fresh, queer, unapologetic collection of short stories.
I loved it. The stories are all set in a dystopian future where human memories are currency and any person that does not conform to strict definitions of of gender, love, and belief are immediately classified as Dirty Computers. Even at its darkest, the thread of hope, acceptance, and love cursed through every page. I was sad every time a story ended, but was usually immediately gripped by the next one.
All the stories were a little on the nose with their messaging, but to me this willligness to be obvious with their stance felt refreshing instead of tiresome. Of all the stories, I think 'Timebox' was my favorite just because of the way it explores ideas of time theft and exhaustion under capitalism. I was moved by the raw exhaustion and infuriating ending.
I also listened to the "Dirty Computer" Album while reading the book and I loved the way they seamlessly fit together.
Final lesson is the world (I) needs more Science Fiction written by Janelle Monáe
I loved it. The stories are all set in a dystopian future where human memories are currency and any person that does not conform to strict definitions of of gender, love, and belief are immediately classified as Dirty Computers. Even at its darkest, the thread of hope, acceptance, and love cursed through every page. I was sad every time a story ended, but was usually immediately gripped by the next one.
All the stories were a little on the nose with their messaging, but to me this willligness to be obvious with their stance felt refreshing instead of tiresome. Of all the stories, I think 'Timebox' was my favorite just because of the way it explores ideas of time theft and exhaustion under capitalism. I was moved by the raw exhaustion and infuriating ending.
I also listened to the "Dirty Computer" Album while reading the book and I loved the way they seamlessly fit together.
Final lesson is the world (I) needs more Science Fiction written by Janelle Monáe
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Transphobia, Sexism, Biphobia, Body horror, Abandonment, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Lesbophobia, Racism, Classism, Hate crime, and Homophobia
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Racism, Classism, and Xenophobia
laurareads87's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars.
This collection of short stories is best read after (re)watching Dirty Computer, as the text is set in the world of Dirty Computer and includes the characters therein. I appreciate this collection as a hopeful visioning, in many cases focused on the carving out of utopian, pleasurable spaces amidst struggles for liberation from totalitarianism. I like the inclusion of a short essay and some discussion questions at the end of the book, well suited to a book club. With each short story featuring a different co-author, I did find the collection read a bit unevenly, with some stories more compelling than others. The book is best at its most subtle; in a few instances, the analysis felt a bit heavy. Monáe is tremendously talented and I'm not at all surprised her first work of written fiction is solid; I'll happily pick up her next one.
This collection of short stories is best read after (re)watching Dirty Computer, as the text is set in the world of Dirty Computer and includes the characters therein. I appreciate this collection as a hopeful visioning, in many cases focused on the carving out of utopian, pleasurable spaces amidst struggles for liberation from totalitarianism. I like the inclusion of a short essay and some discussion questions at the end of the book, well suited to a book club. With each short story featuring a different co-author, I did find the collection read a bit unevenly, with some stories more compelling than others. The book is best at its most subtle; in a few instances, the analysis felt a bit heavy. Monáe is tremendously talented and I'm not at all surprised her first work of written fiction is solid; I'll happily pick up her next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, and Police brutality
agw622's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a collection of short stories there will of course be some better than others. Most of them are written to really challenge you to think in a world set to allow you to contemplate modern days issues. The charecters are amazing and vibrant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Outing, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Drug use
brichneyfloss's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Sexism, Homophobia, and Racism
meg_thebrave's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a really cool collection of stories. I could tell it was Janelle’s first book, but it was still really cool to spend more time in the world they’ve spent so much time developing. I could see the way previous Black sci-fi writers influenced Janelle’s work, and I really enjoyed the creativity of each story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Classism, and Police brutality