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A review by inoshiiro
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
In the Dream House is an amazingly written memoir... although I may be biased as this was the first memoir I've ever read. I bought it as a congratulatory treat for myself after finishing my final uni work for the semester, and I finished the day after.
I have often thought about and participated in the discussions surrounding queer representation in media. I've heard two opposing arguments thrown around frequently: "queer representation is too morbid and sad, and portrays us in a negative light" and "queer rep shouldn't just be all sunshine and rainbows, it's not realistic". I feel like this text tackles both of these arguments, even if that might not have been the author's central purpose. Media representation often reflects the 'reality' of those who hold power in society. As Machado notes, this is the same for history. The people in power are the ones writing the narratives. The way this memoir discusses the author's experiences alongside tackling the societal erasure of domestic abuse in queer female relationships is masterful. The format of the chapters were so creatively put together. The way parts of the text was repeated and emphasised was something I had never seen before (then again, I am not a huge nonfiction reader). I particularly adored the repeating elements of 'when I was writing this book', the Choose Your Own Adventure Story chapter, and the inclusion of historical events and stories. Oh! and Val :)
The writing was emotive and beautifully composed, keeping my eyes glued to the pages until I physically couldn't keep them open anymore. The short length of the individual parts kept my short attention span captured, and I found myself half-way through the book before I even realised.
I think this book has crawled it's way into my favourites, and I would definitely consider re-reading or looking into more of Machado's works.
I have often thought about and participated in the discussions surrounding queer representation in media. I've heard two opposing arguments thrown around frequently: "queer representation is too morbid and sad, and portrays us in a negative light" and "queer rep shouldn't just be all sunshine and rainbows, it's not realistic". I feel like this text tackles both of these arguments, even if that might not have been the author's central purpose. Media representation often reflects the 'reality' of those who hold power in society. As Machado notes, this is the same for history. The people in power are the ones writing the narratives. The way this memoir discusses the author's experiences alongside tackling the societal erasure of domestic abuse in queer female relationships is masterful. The format of the chapters were so creatively put together. The way parts of the text was repeated and emphasised was something I had never seen before (then again, I am not a huge nonfiction reader). I particularly adored
The writing was emotive and beautifully composed, keeping my eyes glued to the pages until I physically couldn't keep them open anymore. The short length of the individual parts kept my short attention span captured, and I found myself half-way through the book before I even realised.
I think this book has crawled it's way into my favourites, and I would definitely consider re-reading or looking into more of Machado's works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Drug use
Minor: Suicidal thoughts