Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe

7 reviews

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Transphobia, Sexism, Biphobia, Body horror, Abandonment, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Lesbophobia, Racism, Classism, Hate crime, and Homophobia

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.

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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. 

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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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Sexism, Homophobia, and Racism

bashsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• 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

Dirty Computer fans, the story continues in this collection. I enjoy the translation of a tale told through audio and visuals into a written text, and I think this is a cool futuristic text with interesting and compelling things to say about gender, race, memory, sexuality, relationships, and revolution. I will say, it was a little slow to start; I had trouble fully immersing myself in the world and what was happening until the third narrator, Neer, and their perspective picks up at page 120. After that, the book was much more engaging. Timebox and Save Changes were my favorite stories in the collection.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Chronic illness, and Gun violence

Minor: Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Cursing

leannanecdote's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense slow-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Grief, Confinement, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Violence, Transphobia, Racism, Police brutality, Mental illness, Death, Forced institutionalization, Chronic illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexism, War, and Drug use

theuncannydani's review against another edition

challenging dark hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

When is Janelle going to write for Black Mirror? Timebox messed me up!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide, Transphobia, and Racism

Moderate: Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Drug use, Confinement, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Death, and Chronic illness

Minor: Dementia, Sexism, Alcohol, Police brutality, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Gun violence