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A review by mirandalikesbooks
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
This was one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
The thing that sets this book apart is the way it was written. The tone feels like poetry while equally being digestible and readable. The switch between first and second person was such an interesting way to tell a story. The "I" was disconnected from the "you" but still told told a cohesive account of Machado's story. The you chapters invited the reader in to examine the parts of their reality that they are disconnected from too.
This perspective on domestic abuse intersected with queer culture intersected with fat culture and with religious trauma is engaging and terrible and inspiring.
A wonderful read.
The thing that sets this book apart is the way it was written. The tone feels like poetry while equally being digestible and readable. The switch between first and second person was such an interesting way to tell a story. The "I" was disconnected from the "you" but still told told a cohesive account of Machado's story. The you chapters invited the reader in to examine the parts of their reality that they are disconnected from too.
This perspective on domestic abuse intersected with queer culture intersected with fat culture and with religious trauma is engaging and terrible and inspiring.
A wonderful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders