Take a photo of a barcode or cover
katiewhocanread 's review for:
Monsters
by Claire Dederer
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
I needed to read this book to try to work through The Gaiman Problem that has been tormenting me since I heard about the allegations against him. Dedera explores the complicated muddle of art and artist, love and hate, how the biographies of artist and consumer intersect. No definite answers - because we are all human and all interactions and choices are made by human fallibility.
I found a couple of chapters frustrating, specifically the ones that discuss the topic of what makes a female monster, in a book mostly looking at male violence and the patriarchy. These two chapters seemed out of place, and the standards are different - mostly concerning motherhood. Of course, this is kind of the point...
The book is not perfect, but it gave me a little peace. There is grace here, and that is so desperately needed in this complicated, messed-up world where the monsters are as human as we are. No more, no less.
I found a couple of chapters frustrating, specifically the ones that discuss the topic of what makes a female monster, in a book mostly looking at male violence and the patriarchy. These two chapters seemed out of place, and the standards are different - mostly concerning motherhood. Of course, this is kind of the point...
The book is not perfect, but it gave me a little peace. There is grace here, and that is so desperately needed in this complicated, messed-up world where the monsters are as human as we are. No more, no less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Antisemitism, Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness
Minor: Transphobia