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4.33 AVERAGE
4.33 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I loved a lot about this book, learning about Alice's life and loved ones was really cool after only really knowing her activist work. It was generous, joyful, and the different parts of the book took so many different formats, I found the variation creative and engaging. I also loved the way she brought in the works of crip comrades that are important to her. I was however somewhat surprised although not altogether, by her politics. The cognitive dissonance between rallying for disability justice, and keeping your framed photo with Obama up on the wall, and then writing about your pride and excitement in that, felt strange to me, especially in conjunction with other parts of the book where she wishes for an anti-carceral future. Between his drone strikes and deportations, a lot of people were disabled and a lot of disabled people were killed, I don't understand even how those mental gymnastics jump around. There were a handful of moments in the book that felt contradictory in that way, which is why it has a lower rating than I might have otherwise given it. Like I said, I loved a lot about it, and I also had moments of confusion and disappointment. I think it's worth a read, and like most things I think are worth a read, I still have problems with it. The last chapter made me sob properly though, as things continue to get worse it feels harder to imagine us in the future, and it was meaningful to be let into her imagination of her's.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Difficult to rate. Started out in 5-star territory, but most of the middle [200 or so pages] was comprised of tiresome transcriptions of podcasts, interviews, tweets, etc. Very much a zine format, which I’m not fundamentally opposed to, just very repetitive. Probably best read piecemeal, but my linear Virgo brain has trouble with that approach. The essays in the last couple sections were so engaging and thought provoking that I can’t not give this book 4 stars.
I think this quote from Octavia Butler, used in the book, summarizes this biography beautifully: you got to make your own worlds; you got to write yourself in. Alice has done that. She demands to be seen. In doing so, she’s helping to better the experiences of others with disabilities.
I also loved the addition of the cat comic and descriptions of Alice’s favorite foods with the meanings they hold for her sprinkled throughout the book.
I also loved the addition of the cat comic and descriptions of Alice’s favorite foods with the meanings they hold for her sprinkled throughout the book.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
this was such a joyous read!!
there were so many gems in alice’s writing. I was a big fan of “About Time” and “Lunar New Year Memories”
there were so many gems in alice’s writing. I was a big fan of “About Time” and “Lunar New Year Memories”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
It is definitely important reading to work on your ableism and access biases and to see things from a different perspective. I enjoyed the parts about Alice's life and her sci-fi musings, but as someone who doesn't really seek out memoirs and most nonfiction, I did not really enjoy the tips about interviewing and radio, though they were good to think about.
Great memoir; loved the mixed mediums (e.g., illustrations, crossword) and playful sci-fi references. Because there are a lot of illustrations, this book is shorter than its page count may lead you to believe. Also fun to see how some elements repeat themselves, and how the different sections play off each other. So, I really loved the format of this memoir.
Overall, a nice combination of big ideas that will take me more work to chew on (e.g., CRISPR editing of disabilities as genocide, treatment vs. cure, different ideas about what we value as productivity) and approacheable, funny reflections on Wong's life. I wish there had been some more unpacking of some of these big ideas, but I appreciate that is outside the scope of this memoir. Definitely a book that is inspiring me to read more.
Overall, a nice combination of big ideas that will take me more work to chew on (e.g., CRISPR editing of disabilities as genocide, treatment vs. cure, different ideas about what we value as productivity) and approacheable, funny reflections on Wong's life. I wish there had been some more unpacking of some of these big ideas, but I appreciate that is outside the scope of this memoir. Definitely a book that is inspiring me to read more.
YEAR OF THE TIGER is a collection of original essays, previously published work, transcribed conversations, and photos. Powerful and thought-provoking, YEAR OF THE TIGER explores disability and ableism in our society. Through the lens of Wong's experiences, the book delves into how disabled individuals are often invisible yet visible in public spaces. For instance, some people avert their gaze when talking to her, while others give unsolicited advice about how lucky she is or how Jesus can save her.
One of the most striking aspects of YEAR OF THE TIGER is the emphasis on the pervasiveness of ableism in our society, particularly the structural barriers that disabled people face in voting, living, moving, and working. This ableism is also evident in the way that non-disabled actors are cast to play disabled characters, and in the narrow range of voices that are typically featured on public radio.
YEAR OF THE TIGER also addresses the ethics of rationing and triaging medical supplies during the pandemic, and the impact this policy had on disabled individuals who rely on ventilators to survive. Similarly, Wong explores how using CRISPR-Cas9 to eliminate genes associated with disabilities is another act of eugenics and ableist actions.
YEAR OF THE TIGER is a must-read for anyone looking to better understand the challenges and experiences of disabled individuals. Wong encourages the readers to ask: Who is missing in the space we're inhabiting, and why? How do we become more creative to make room for diverse bodies?
One of the most striking aspects of YEAR OF THE TIGER is the emphasis on the pervasiveness of ableism in our society, particularly the structural barriers that disabled people face in voting, living, moving, and working. This ableism is also evident in the way that non-disabled actors are cast to play disabled characters, and in the narrow range of voices that are typically featured on public radio.
YEAR OF THE TIGER also addresses the ethics of rationing and triaging medical supplies during the pandemic, and the impact this policy had on disabled individuals who rely on ventilators to survive. Similarly, Wong explores how using CRISPR-Cas9 to eliminate genes associated with disabilities is another act of eugenics and ableist actions.
YEAR OF THE TIGER is a must-read for anyone looking to better understand the challenges and experiences of disabled individuals. Wong encourages the readers to ask: Who is missing in the space we're inhabiting, and why? How do we become more creative to make room for diverse bodies?