A review by madi_gaines
Insurrections by Rion Amilcar Scott

challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

The writing of women in this book is more than disappointing. Rion Amilcar Scott came to one of my college courses to discuss this book, and the only explanation he gave for writing violence against women including sexual assault was that he had friends tell him how hard it was to be a woman and he wanted to include some of those issues. In one of the short stories,
the protagonist follows a hijabi woman home and then watches her through her window while she removes her hijab.
Not only was that scene extremely violating, but there was no criticism of the protagonists actions. I think that there may be men who can write about the experiences of women in a tasteful way, but this was not it. 

This was especially frustrating because the premise of the book was truly about the relationships men have with each other, and yet women throughout the book are only used as props. 

I did enjoy the writing itself, and I felt that the scenes that focused on the roles men are forced into were fascinating, but the writing surrounding women was unforgivable. 
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