Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Girlhood by Melissa Febos

2 reviews

bashsbooks's review

challenging emotional informative slow-paced

4.5

A great collection of essays on Being (Perceived As) A Woman Under Patriarchy and all the fucky wucky stuff that comes along with that. A little more binary than what I usually prefer, but Febos' level of nuance makes up for the generalizations. The tagline on my copy of the book suggests that it's a good read for women of all kinds - mothers, daughters, sisters - but I think men would benefit a lot by reading it as well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Sexism, Cursing, Misogyny, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Drug use, and Body shaming

Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Violence

Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, and Death of parent

anniefwrites's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Wow. You know a book is good when you want to go back and reread it right away. Melissa Febos's essay collection attributes microscopic attention to her past and finds common threads that weave together internalized misogyny, lack of agency, and stifled exploration of identity and sexuality. She has such a distinct voice and uses such inventive imagery to welcome the reader into her exhibition of vulnerability. For lack of a better word, this book is full of truth-bombs. I highlighted so much, and it's making me reflect on my own experiences as a girl growing up in a patriarchal society. An excellent read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Eating disorder