Reviews

Inside/Out by Joseph Osmundson

catdad77a45's review

3.0

This can and probably should be read in one sitting (as I did), since it is quite short with a LOT of white space. Although nicely revelatory about the author's own vulnerabilities, his thoughts are never quite as profound as he seems to think they are (or perhaps they might be to a younger unsophisticated member of the Grindr generation, but to this senior adult they just felt a bit jejune). And although he harps (on and on) about this being about an abusive relationship, he readily admits there was never any physical violence (other than him punching his lover's shoulder at one point), and any 'psychic pain' is of a fairly generic variety, with nothing particularly special or significant about it (Honey, I hate to tell you, but we've ALL been there, done that). So a bit of a disappointment, but points for being fairly well written and for its brevity.

bigdykeenergy's review

4.0

Uncomfortably honest and personal (and I mean that lovingly). Reads like a memoir for the tumblr generation, very queer & very fragmented, almost like text posts interspersed with occasional quote from other authors.

thatbookboi's review

5.0

Although short, Inside/Out packs a powerful punch of emotions. This experimental memoir of a long-term break-up portrays the power in expressing vulnerability in any piece of art intended for public consumption using a concept of inside or outside specific aspects of life. Osmundson’s experiment with queer theory and narrative while working with the general insecurities of existing as a gay man is astonishing.