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A review by aisling_a
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
5.0
cw: rape/abuse/PTSD
An Untamed State is probably one of the most well written books I have ever read. It absolutely destroyed me and upset me so much more than any other book has - I was truly grieving for Mireille by the time I reached the halfway point. This book is incredible in that it made me feel so much fear and sadness without going into excessive detail re: Mireille's systematic rape and abuse at the hands of her captors. All of the hurt lies in her memories of who she was before she was destroyed as a result of her father's decision, and what her kidnapping does to her in robbing her of the Mireille who existed in "the before". Gay has masterfully given her readers an insight into what true privilege involves, and what happens when said privilege backfires. Mireille has privilege that lies in her father's wealth and her American status, but this privilege is revoked as a result of her being a woman. I also really appreciated Gay's exploration of the complex, multifaceted nature of love, especially when love is not wanted, not reciprocated or not felt in a clear way. She was certainly not afraid to explore the immense pain that comes alongside different forms of love, be it the love individuals are born with for their parents or the love people choose. I think this book is going to effect me for an incredibly long time and I cannot see myself forgetting it any time soon.
An Untamed State is probably one of the most well written books I have ever read. It absolutely destroyed me and upset me so much more than any other book has - I was truly grieving for Mireille by the time I reached the halfway point. This book is incredible in that it made me feel so much fear and sadness without going into excessive detail re: Mireille's systematic rape and abuse at the hands of her captors. All of the hurt lies in her memories of who she was before she was destroyed as a result of her father's decision, and what her kidnapping does to her in robbing her of the Mireille who existed in "the before". Gay has masterfully given her readers an insight into what true privilege involves, and what happens when said privilege backfires. Mireille has privilege that lies in her father's wealth and her American status, but this privilege is revoked as a result of her being a woman. I also really appreciated Gay's exploration of the complex, multifaceted nature of love, especially when love is not wanted, not reciprocated or not felt in a clear way. She was certainly not afraid to explore the immense pain that comes alongside different forms of love, be it the love individuals are born with for their parents or the love people choose. I think this book is going to effect me for an incredibly long time and I cannot see myself forgetting it any time soon.