Reviews tagging 'Pandemic/Epidemic'

Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong

8 reviews

fionag's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.25

I really enjoyed this!! Not so much a memoir in a standard narrative but more of a collection of some parts of Alice’s life from memes she finds funny to conversations with her mom and traditional Chinese recipes. Wong touches on big topics like the pandemic, ableism, representation within the media, accessibility within buildings and the use of plastic straws. This is all done with humour and passion and was a joy to read. I listened to the audiobook but was still able to download the pictures which I otherwise would’ve missed out on, another way to make it more accessible I never would’ve thought of. Some parts can get repetitive as excerpts from interviews or speeches may briefly touch on the same details, but the sheer variety within this novel is engaging. I really loved hearing about her childhood experiences of Chinese school, lunar new year, and her relationship with her first grade teacher. What a fab read, I learnt a lot and laughed a lot! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism and Pandemic/Epidemic

siobhanward's review

informative medium-paced

4.0

I really appreciated that Wong was writing what she wanted to write and how she wanted to write, rather than catering to an audience (and that was made clear early on). The mix of different formats throughout the book (articles, interviews, essays, speeches) made the book feel varied and kept me engaged. Wong has lived a fascinating life and I appreciate how much she shared. I didn't know anything about her work prior to reading this and I'm excited to learn more about everything she has done. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Medical content, Racism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

novella42's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

Easily one of the most important books I've read this year. I feel silly saying this, but I didn't know memoirs of disabled people could be... like... fun? And playful? And hilarious? And snarky? And also no-nonsense, anti-ableist, and badass, all at the same time! I'm really grateful for Alice's work in the world, and in the way she role models disabled joy and reclaiming her own damn story.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Racism, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Chronic illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Confinement, Suicide, Dysphoria, Xenophobia, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, Terminal illness, Bullying, Classism, Hate crime, Genocide, and Gaslighting

Minor: Animal death, Child death, Excrement, Religious bigotry, and Fatphobia

amberinpieces's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Genocide, Pandemic/Epidemic, Fatphobia, and Medical content

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Alice Wong has a kind, unique, and vivifying voice. I found myself smiling throughout this audiobook. My one note is that some of the essays/reflections were repetitive. I do notice that they were carefully organized to build on certain narratives/eras in the author’s life. All in all, I highly recommend.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Ableism, Terminal illness, Death, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma

Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Domestic abuse, Violence, Child abuse, Animal death, and Child death

hmetwade's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Pandemic/Epidemic, Cursing, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Body shaming

leweylibrary's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

This memoir was so different from any other I've read before because it was such a great collection of mixed media, including interviews, podcasts, photos and so much more from this activist's life and work. Disability justice is so important, but it's definitely not an area that I know a whole lot about, so I learned so incredibly much. Wong did a fantastic job of blending her own story and experiences with discussions of major issues and manifestos personal and political. I've already recommended this book for a future social justice book club pick at my campus next there are so many important lessons to be learned for not just students but also faculty and staff.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Medical content, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Suicide, Pandemic/Epidemic, Confinement, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying and Xenophobia

sarahsbookstacks's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Chronic illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Ableism