Scan barcode
A review by lisaeirene
Mean by Myriam Gurba
3.0
I'm unsure of how I feel about this book.
First, I liked the writing style. It was poetic and stream of consciousness-esque, there was some really powerful and beautiful writing in there.
Second, I think the memoir takes on a lot of important topics--racism, culture, sexual assault, harassment, GLBT issues, anorexia, family, recovery and death.
"The privilege of surviving doesn't feel good. It makes me feel guilty."
But the reason I feel so torn about this book is that I did not like the author's voice at all. She came across as pretentious and condescending and too "mean-girl". I GET the feminist rage. I get that she's angry. I get that she wanted to write about her difficult life experiences -- life changing experiences -- but she just came across as a snotty, snobby, privileged Berkeley chick who just happens to be Latina and gay. Her voice throughout the book is just very off-putting to me. Which is disappointing because it could have been such a good, important book!
First, I liked the writing style. It was poetic and stream of consciousness-esque, there was some really powerful and beautiful writing in there.
Second, I think the memoir takes on a lot of important topics--racism, culture, sexual assault, harassment, GLBT issues, anorexia, family, recovery and death.
"The privilege of surviving doesn't feel good. It makes me feel guilty."
But the reason I feel so torn about this book is that I did not like the author's voice at all. She came across as pretentious and condescending and too "mean-girl". I GET the feminist rage. I get that she's angry. I get that she wanted to write about her difficult life experiences -- life changing experiences -- but she just came across as a snotty, snobby, privileged Berkeley chick who just happens to be Latina and gay. Her voice throughout the book is just very off-putting to me. Which is disappointing because it could have been such a good, important book!