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roohanin's review against another edition
5.0
An intense, emotional rollercoaster that reveals the harrowing consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity. Safia Sinclair's poetic prowess and compelling narrative make this memoir an unforgettable read.
Reading "How to Say Babylon" by Safia Sinclair was an intense and emotional journey that required multiple breaks to process. The memoir is a gripping rollercoaster of emotions, making me cry, and sharing in her anger and despair. Sinclair’s story starkly illustrates the consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity.
Before diving into this book, I was unfamiliar with Rastafarianism. The extensive backstory provided, even before her birth, was enlightening. However, it became clear that her family's extreme practice of religion should not be seen as a definitive representation of Rastafarianism. I suspect there is much more to the faith than what was depicted in her father's household, encompassing both positive and negative aspects.
I rarely use the word "hate" due to its intensity, but I genuinely hated her father throughout the book. His actions were profoundly disturbing. Despite the darkness, I was relieved to see Sinclair eventually finding a support system for her brother and mother.
Safia Sinclair masterfully crafts a coherent and compelling story arc in her memoir. While I typically do not enjoy poetry, as I often struggle to understand it, her poetic prowess shines through her prose. Although some of her poetic language puzzled me, I could still grasp the overarching meanings and emotions she conveyed.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Cursing, Child abuse, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
karleeread's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage
mshahan's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
katewhite77's review against another edition
5.0
Safia Sinclair is a poet, and it shows in her wonderful prose style. Though the writing style is beautifully poetic, the content is hard to read to read. Don't go into this expecting an easy ride, especially because the writing is visceral.
Safia grew up in Montego Bay Jamaica with her mother, father, and three younger siblings, who are all rastafari. This is, for the most part, a peaceful religion that believes Jamaica should be free from white colonial rule, also known as Babylon.
Over time however Safia"s father is over taken by religious furver and starts to follow a sect that believes in a very narrow interpretation of rastafaranism, particularly in regard to the role of women. This leads to him exerting tighter and tighter control over the females in the family.
Safia finds an escape route out through education and poetry. The book is dedicated to her mother, and it is easy to see why because she is amazing.
I fully expect this book to feature in my best books of the year, not least because it references the best band in the world. The Mighy Cranberries.
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Religious bigotry and Classism
intensej's review against another edition
5.0
"Beyond the hazy light of the veiled world lives this moment of my life diverging--I went one way, and the other girl, the girl I never became, went the other, with all her mysterious possibilities, all her unknown and possible worlds" (p. 122).
Content: graphic descriptions of suicide, violence
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
lcg527's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Body shaming
froon's review against another edition
4.5
i saw a goodreads review frustrated with the “lack of structural payoff,” and i find that so deeply annoying. this is one of the most satisfying endings of a memoir, especially one that spans such a range of time and history, that i’ve ever read. there is a distinct and emotional climax AND the payoff of the aftermath at the end. again, a sign of the skill that sinclair has.
my biggest issue, keeping this from a true five star read, was how slow the beginning was to get through. the pace was slow to the point that it felt dense and difficult to traverse.
there is nothing like a memoir written by a poet. i’ll chew on some of these sentences for some time. maybe i’ll really apply for grad school this time :)
Graphic: Self harm and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
darcygabe's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Child abuse, Racism, and Self harm
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Bullying, Classism, and Colonisation
salemander's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny
mmccombs's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse