Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou

24 reviews

caroisreading's review

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a fun satirical read about the absurd world of academia, and an absolutely scathing look at racism, sexism, and finding identity as a first-generation Asian woman in America. 

Ingrid is a Taiwanese-American grad student at a Harvard-like university, struggling to finish her dissertation on the works of Chinese-American poet Xiao-Wen Chou. She relies on an addiction to allergy meds to get through her anxiety and procrastination, and feels strongly this isn't the work she should be doing. Right away, we are introduced to scenes of her taking a backseat to white men, including her own fiancé, on topics about her own culture. The plot continues in a feverish nightmare, as Ingrid is shaken by the truth of her work, and realization of the incredibly racist world she's tried to function in. 

Admittedly, I couldn't get into Elaine Hsieh Chou's writing style, but appreciated her funny storytelling, and extremely unlikeable characters. The author unlocked a lot of my own trauma, with anecdotes about trying to fit in with white friends, being ashamed of our own culture, the incessant need to question if someone is interested in us because they have a fetish. A lot of these themes are told in a continuous loop that could've been edited down, but I totally get the need to expand on topics that aren't represented enough. After reading R. F. Kuang's "Yellowface," with a white character faking Asian identity and struggling to find fault with what she's doing, "Disorientation"

similarly plays out this plot, but with an Asian protagonist's churning shock and disenchantment witnessing what's happening

; I'd highly recommend reading both in succession, for these two perspectives.

Give this a read if you're interested in Asian American themes, funny stories on grad school life, and whimsical sleuth-style storytelling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Cultural appropriation, Deportation, Drug use, Racial slurs, and Racism

hmih's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Xenophobia, Racism, Sexism, Colonisation, Misogyny, Cultural appropriation, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

Moderate: Cancer, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Classism, Violence, and Hate crime

Minor: Police brutality

ottotto's review

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

oh god, i loved this book. it's been a really long time since i've seen myself so clearly in a book. it was retelling me experiences i didn't know anyone else had. i'm so glad i read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexism and Racism

kathshiroma's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Violence, and Sexual violence

Minor: Body shaming, Colonisation, Outing, and Deportation

madeleinebay's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Emotional abuse

frankieclc's review against another edition

4.0

There were descriptions in this book where it made me shiver because it felt too real, "I know that character, I've met them" kinda vibes. 

Went a lil off the rail in places and that's the only reason it wasn't a 5, the conversations made were incredible 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Sexism

Minor: Fatphobia

beanmilkcantread's review

funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this book made me want to read again. it was clever n funny n over the top n horrifying n ridiculous in a way that’s like ‘no but that actually WOULD happen in academia.’ this book could have made you want to shake the main character but instead u want to cheer her on. touches on the truly disturbing reality of academia n White Supremacy in a way that is scathing while retaining humor n joy! i loved it!!! can u tell??!!?!?? if i drop out of grad school it’s NOT bc of this book but…this book DID make me feel like if i did drop out that’d be an okay choice too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Stalking

metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Racism, and Sexism

Moderate: Body shaming, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Mental illness

olive_lol's review

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This novel's satire lends itself to sharp social commentary as the story ramps up in intensity and scope. It does a great job of utilizing humor and illustrates authentic themes through absurd scenarios. I loved Ingrid's development and how heartfelt it was. Overall, this book is great for someone looking for a funny book with a lot to say.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, and Racial slurs

Minor: Sexual content, Cursing, and Suicide attempt

unsuccessfulbookclub's review

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Racism, Xenophobia, and Sexism

Moderate: Violence