Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

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

5 reviews

mi_chlo's review against another edition

mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement

Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Police brutality, and Cancer

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

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

caseythereader's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Gun violence, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Police brutality, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Homophobia

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