A review by plethora
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

emotional funny informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I don't read things quickly, and I read this in a day. The formatting makes each page or so its own self-contained reflection, so it was perfect for my distractable brain to pick up and put down between texts (I know, I'm the worst). As a 90's nerd kid every reference in this felt relatable to me. And I so applaud the author for choosing to convey her truth the way she did.
When I got to page 162 I audibly squealed with glee at the choice.


This books is as much an anthology that points and screams at the undercurrent of Queer history that has been suppressed for centuries by cishet institutions, as it is a personal memoir. Carmen Maria Machado has made a point to champion her community while holding it accountable to the reality its members face.  

The author's play and use with genre, theme, format made following this story that much more invigorating, while imbuing the reader's journey with the same fragmented, recursive, reflective search for clarity we all feel in the
aftermath of a toxic and abusive relationship. Reading this felt like sitting with a friend trying to make sense of their last relationship over a bottle of wine. 
 
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