Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

31 reviews

beingsimba's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective

5.0

What I love about Gladwell's work is that he challenges us to look deeper than the surface and confront our assumptions about the world (and in this case, the strangers) around us.

Using the 2015 Sandra Bland case as a frame narrative, Gladwell uses various scientific studies, interviews, and other high-profile crimes to present his case. The topics are serious and difficult to listen to and one should definitely heed the content warnings if they decide to read this.

One last note is I cannot recommend the audiobook enough as it is less a typical audiobook and more a long format version of his podcast, Revisionist History. It is incredibly immersive and absolutely contributed to me enjoyment of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Torture, Rape, Suicide, Murder, Police brutality, Pedophilia, and Racism

applelotte's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Pedophilia

madde's review against another edition

2.0

While I enjoyed the audiobook format, I had some issues with this. For one, the chapter on Brock Turn and alcohol related rape cases seemed to be taking away too much blame from Brock Turner. Admittedly, this chapter was too hard for me to read so I skipped through part of it. It’s possible it got better after this, but from what I have read of others opinions, it does not. I’d like to give Gladwell the benefit of the doubt and think that this section itself was communicated poorly, but it just did not sit well with me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Pedophilia, and Suicide attempt

berksah's review against another edition

4.0

First Gladwell book. Nicely written and engaging, different from what I thought it would be. Many CWs, while not in his writing or ideas, but in examples and case studies 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Suicide, Murder, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Torture, Pedophilia, Police brutality, and Racism

mayukiiq's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

Very thought-provoking and easy to follow. The “enhanced audiobook” was super enjoyable to listen to- complete with music, voice actors, etc., and just felt like an extended episode of Revisionist History. 

*Sensitive topics discussed in detail,  please be mindful of content warnings. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Torture, Suicide, and Alcohol

annaroses's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, Rape, Racism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Police brutality

kdenten's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Pedophilia

Minor: Drug use, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Murder

montyalmoro's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Rape, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Gun violence, Police brutality, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

carolinethilde's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

This book made me remember that I don’t actually know anything at all. Malcolm Gladwell’s ability to dissect cultural phenomena and show us the guts is successful once again, in Talking to Strangers. 
I never realized how many small assessments we make of people we’ve only just met! Gladwell proves that humans are judgmental by nature. Most of what we assume is incorrect. He examines what went wrong in that traffic stop that was an innocent Sandra Bland’s untimely end and how it speaks to a broader social context. How do we make snap judgments about the people we’ve met and why? Are we too trusting? Too wary? Gladwell covers it all and reveals some hard truths about how we should be treating the people around us. 

Pro tip: don’t read this book in the park if you don’t want random strangers to come up to you and strike up weird conversations!! I learned that the hard way. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Gaslighting, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Gore, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, and Police brutality

There is analytical discussion on attempts at suicide, racial profiling, and pedophilic behavior.

aquariusvintage's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Racism, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Rape, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence