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howlinglibraries's review
4.0
This anthology is a tough one for me to rate. If I were reviewing it based solely on the nature of the work—this book about intersectional feminism, equality and equity, and fighting back against a society that perpetuates things like treating women and nonbinary people as less than men (and women/nonbinary people from marginalized communities as lesser, still)—it would be a 5-star read, with no hesitation.
Unfortunately, the execution of the collection leaves a bit to be desired, and if I were rating it exclusively on my enjoyment, it would be 3-star worthy (hence my compromise at 4 stars in the end). One of the problems that I found was that, frankly, the collection feels repetitive by the end of it. If I’d read one essay a day, maybe this wouldn’t have been an issue, but as it stands, I read this in two days, and was feeling by the end as though I was rereading earlier pieces.
My enjoyment for the collection as a whole dropped in the final third, where we had one story in particular from an author who has already proven herself not to be an intersectional ally of people of color, yet spent far too many pages explaining her privileged upbringing and humble-bragging about what a great activist she considers herself to be. It felt like a bold, unintentional reminder of why allocishet white women need to stop being what this society accepts as “the face of feminism”.
Of course, there were some real gems in the collection, like Anna-Marie McLemore’s; I always love the way she has with words, and her descriptions of how difficult it was to grow up religious in a world where her deity was whitewashed by the masses was incredibly insightful to me, as a white former Christian who never had to deal with those devastating thoughts as a child. I was also particularly fond of Sandhya Menon’s bit on immigrating from India, Julie Murphy’s story that managed to weave fat rep and recognizing that her privileges as a white woman still protected her despite her size, and Amy Reed’s devastating recounting of sexual assault.
All in all, while this was certainly not the best nonfiction anthology I’ve read, it’s still definitely worth a read (though you can probably skip Ellen Hopkins’ story with no harm done, to be fair). Especially if you are a person who sits in a great place of privilege, the greatest thing about this collection—and the reason I am still giving it 4 stars—is that I do think it has a great deal to offer in the ways of encouraging intersectionality, which is something we can never have too much of.
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Simon Pulse for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
You can find this review and more on my blog, or you can follow me on twitter, bookstagram, or facebook!
We are living in a cultural battleground where, for many of us, our very identities seem to be under attack.
Unfortunately, the execution of the collection leaves a bit to be desired, and if I were rating it exclusively on my enjoyment, it would be 3-star worthy (hence my compromise at 4 stars in the end). One of the problems that I found was that, frankly, the collection feels repetitive by the end of it. If I’d read one essay a day, maybe this wouldn’t have been an issue, but as it stands, I read this in two days, and was feeling by the end as though I was rereading earlier pieces.
These boys and men are ghosts. None of them have edges. They bleed into one another. They are the same.
My enjoyment for the collection as a whole dropped in the final third, where we had one story in particular from an author who has already proven herself not to be an intersectional ally of people of color, yet spent far too many pages explaining her privileged upbringing and humble-bragging about what a great activist she considers herself to be. It felt like a bold, unintentional reminder of why allocishet white women need to stop being what this society accepts as “the face of feminism”.
He was always blond. Except, somehow, when He was on the cross. Only in the moment of His deepest suffering did artists consider He might have walked this earth as a dark-haired, brown-skinned man.
Of course, there were some real gems in the collection, like Anna-Marie McLemore’s; I always love the way she has with words, and her descriptions of how difficult it was to grow up religious in a world where her deity was whitewashed by the masses was incredibly insightful to me, as a white former Christian who never had to deal with those devastating thoughts as a child. I was also particularly fond of Sandhya Menon’s bit on immigrating from India, Julie Murphy’s story that managed to weave fat rep and recognizing that her privileges as a white woman still protected her despite her size, and Amy Reed’s devastating recounting of sexual assault.
All in all, while this was certainly not the best nonfiction anthology I’ve read, it’s still definitely worth a read (though you can probably skip Ellen Hopkins’ story with no harm done, to be fair). Especially if you are a person who sits in a great place of privilege, the greatest thing about this collection—and the reason I am still giving it 4 stars—is that I do think it has a great deal to offer in the ways of encouraging intersectionality, which is something we can never have too much of.
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Simon Pulse for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
You can find this review and more on my blog, or you can follow me on twitter, bookstagram, or facebook!
charliedezeeuw's review against another edition
4.0
I recommend people of all genders, ethnicities, political standpoints, to pick this book up.
Nearly every essay hurts, and certainly every author brings her personal story in a way that will resonate with you some way. Whether you experienced sexual abuse, have been the victim of racism, or are part of the lgbt, you can feel the struggle of the authors.
It often hurt for me to read, as a trans boy who has never experienced anything like cat calling or worse. To read about the every day struggles of women, and realising they face every more on top of this if they are not cis and white. It’s confronting, and I often needed to take breaks in between stories. It forms a knot in your belly which I believe we need to feel more often, as society.
It is after all, our responsibility to untangle it.
Nearly every essay hurts, and certainly every author brings her personal story in a way that will resonate with you some way. Whether you experienced sexual abuse, have been the victim of racism, or are part of the lgbt, you can feel the struggle of the authors.
It often hurt for me to read, as a trans boy who has never experienced anything like cat calling or worse. To read about the every day struggles of women, and realising they face every more on top of this if they are not cis and white. It’s confronting, and I often needed to take breaks in between stories. It forms a knot in your belly which I believe we need to feel more often, as society.
It is after all, our responsibility to untangle it.
rumerhenry's review
5.0
Insightful, awe inspiring, bold, unapologetic. A threat to the patriarchy, a menace to racial injustice. A lifeline for victims, an intimate friend for survivors. Beautiful.
stateofiction's review against another edition
3.75
Overall really enjoyed these stories and they provided such great insight about being a woman from various backgrounds.
My Immigrant American Dream by Sandhya Menon - 5/5
This was such an inspiring essay and I really enjoyed how it was written from the perspective of reflection.
Her Hair Was Not the Color of Gold by Anna-Marie McLemore - 4/5
I really enjoyed this! I liked reading about her journey through self-acceptance within her religion and coming to terms with how falsified the Western adaptations have become.
Unexpected Pursuits... by Christine Day 4/5
I really enjoyed how this one felt like a work in progress. Occasionally the author would insert a bio of themselves that would change based on how they've changed in life.
Chilled Monkey Brains by Soda Charaipotra - 4/5
Once again, I loved this story! I really enjoyed the inclusion of media to prove the good and bad representation.
Roar by Jane Robin Brown - 5/5
Fully love this story! Such an important topic to speak on, especially for younger, questioning girls.
Easter Offering by Brandy Colbert - 4/5
Once again, I really enjoyed this!
Trumps and Trunchbulls by Alexandra Duncan - 5/5
I absolutely loved this one. The heavy comparisons and how it was built off of a metaphor was amazing.
Tiny Battles by Maurene Goo - 5/5
I loved reading from the perspective of someone as hotheaded as me. I love seeing women stand up for themselves and for that I adored this.
These Words Are Mine by Stephanie Kuehnert - 5/5
This one was definitely difficult to read, but I still very much enjoyed it. It was incredibly important and I'm happy I did.
Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship by Somaiya Daud - 5/5
Absolutely loved the ties to writing and literature to self identity and culture.
Changing Constellations by Nina LaCour - 5/5
Incredibly thought-provoking with beautiful writing
The One Who Defines Me by Aisha Saeed - 5/5
who was the islamophobic author at that year's Yallfest I just want to talk
In Our Genes by Hannah Moskowitz - 5/5
Loved the focus on genealogy and heritage
An Accidental Activist by Ellen Hopkins - 5/5
Really enjoyed this take from a time previous to the 90s and seeing this history from her point of view
Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions by Ilene Gregorio - 5/5
really enjoyed the reflection of college and finding herself
Not Like the Other Girls by Martha Brockenbrough - 1/5
There are other stories that give the exact same message that manage to do it without knowingly deadnaming someone on purpose
Is Something Bothering You? by Jenny Torres Sanchez - 5/5
Really liked this perspective and how the story is told
What I've Learned About Silence by Amber Smith - 5/5
such an important story
Black Girl, Becomng by Tracy Deonn Walker - 5/5
Such a great story
My Immigrant American Dream by Sandhya Menon - 5/5
This was such an inspiring essay and I really enjoyed how it was written from the perspective of reflection.
Her Hair Was Not the Color of Gold by Anna-Marie McLemore - 4/5
I really enjoyed this! I liked reading about her journey through self-acceptance within her religion and coming to terms with how falsified the Western adaptations have become.
Unexpected Pursuits... by Christine Day 4/5
I really enjoyed how this one felt like a work in progress. Occasionally the author would insert a bio of themselves that would change based on how they've changed in life.
Chilled Monkey Brains by Soda Charaipotra - 4/5
Once again, I loved this story! I really enjoyed the inclusion of media to prove the good and bad representation.
Roar by Jane Robin Brown - 5/5
Fully love this story! Such an important topic to speak on, especially for younger, questioning girls.
Easter Offering by Brandy Colbert - 4/5
Once again, I really enjoyed this!
Trumps and Trunchbulls by Alexandra Duncan - 5/5
I absolutely loved this one. The heavy comparisons and how it was built off of a metaphor was amazing.
Tiny Battles by Maurene Goo - 5/5
I loved reading from the perspective of someone as hotheaded as me. I love seeing women stand up for themselves and for that I adored this.
These Words Are Mine by Stephanie Kuehnert - 5/5
This one was definitely difficult to read, but I still very much enjoyed it. It was incredibly important and I'm happy I did.
Myth Making: In the Wake of Hardship by Somaiya Daud - 5/5
Absolutely loved the ties to writing and literature to self identity and culture.
Changing Constellations by Nina LaCour - 5/5
Incredibly thought-provoking with beautiful writing
The One Who Defines Me by Aisha Saeed - 5/5
who was the islamophobic author at that year's Yallfest I just want to talk
In Our Genes by Hannah Moskowitz - 5/5
Loved the focus on genealogy and heritage
An Accidental Activist by Ellen Hopkins - 5/5
Really enjoyed this take from a time previous to the 90s and seeing this history from her point of view
Dreams Deferred and Other Explosions by Ilene Gregorio - 5/5
really enjoyed the reflection of college and finding herself
Not Like the Other Girls by Martha Brockenbrough - 1/5
There are other stories that give the exact same message that manage to do it without knowingly deadnaming someone on purpose
Is Something Bothering You? by Jenny Torres Sanchez - 5/5
Really liked this perspective and how the story is told
What I've Learned About Silence by Amber Smith - 5/5
such an important story
Black Girl, Becomng by Tracy Deonn Walker - 5/5
Such a great story
feiychan's review against another edition
4.0
3.75- While I did enjoy this collection as a whole, it started to feel very repetitive, especially by the end. I really loved the intent & message each and every author had to share (except Ellen Hopkins, her contribution to the anthology did not lime up with the purpose behind this collection), but many of the essays left me unsatisfied. However, there were some really well written ones--my favorites were the essays written by Maureen Goo, Amy Reed, Amber Smith, Sandhya Menon, Ilene Wong (I.W.) Gregorio, and Sona Charaipotra.