Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

70 reviews

tarajoy90's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse

rae477's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Colonisation, Police brutality, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

loveclairebearx's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

I picked up this book expecting to enjoy it. Unpacking childhood as it relates to identity is my favorite memoir niche. What I did not expect, however, was to be swept away and enthralled by how breathtakingly gorgeous the writing is. 

Sinclair’s talent for poetry and devoted daily practice of reading the dictionary shines in the lush prose - each descriptor dripping with expressive intent. Every sentence a reckoning.

Some books are meant to be devoured, others savored. This memoir is the latter. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual assault

mugsandmanuscripts's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Animal cruelty

kenopedidntthinkso's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, and Death

Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts

honeyvoiced's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism

Minor: Cancer, Colonisation, Racial slurs, and Infidelity

mnboyer's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

5.0

At its core, this memoir is Safiya Sinclair (Jamaican poet) reliving the trauma of her past -- her father was a serious, meticulous Rastafarian and was absolutely *horrible* to his family. Women and young girls were seen as 'impure' and couldn't make any of their own choices. Sinclair finds her passion, poetry, but her father doesn't support her. Now, her mother does -- she's a strong woman who, like many, has issues getting out from under the control of her husband. But, the entire book, you're rooting for these women to free themselves.

Wonderful prose, a really interesting memoir where you do learn a ton about Rastafarian culture and belief systems (I had no idea!), and a great ending where there is closure... you get to learn about Safiya Sinclair's background, which helps you to understand her poetry on a deeper level.

Now, I do wish she'd leave ASU and come down to UA, but I suppose I can just keep hoping for that! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

deen734's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death, Slavery, Grief, Infidelity, Racism, Mental illness, Bullying, and Drug use

Minor: Suicide attempt, Self harm, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, and Cancer

sandiet's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

limonadia's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Bullying

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault