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arayo's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, and Classism
sadhbhprice's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Infidelity, Racism, Self harm, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
c1aud55n's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
qqjj's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
stellahadz's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racism, and Abortion
readandfindout's review against another edition
4.75
Themes: 4.5 stars
Perspective: 4.5 stars
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
fkshg8465's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
roohanin's review against another edition
5.0
An intense, emotional rollercoaster that reveals the harrowing consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity. Safia Sinclair's poetic prowess and compelling narrative make this memoir an unforgettable read.
Reading "How to Say Babylon" by Safia Sinclair was an intense and emotional journey that required multiple breaks to process. The memoir is a gripping rollercoaster of emotions, making me cry, and sharing in her anger and despair. Sinclair’s story starkly illustrates the consequences of prioritizing religion over humanity.
Before diving into this book, I was unfamiliar with Rastafarianism. The extensive backstory provided, even before her birth, was enlightening. However, it became clear that her family's extreme practice of religion should not be seen as a definitive representation of Rastafarianism. I suspect there is much more to the faith than what was depicted in her father's household, encompassing both positive and negative aspects.
I rarely use the word "hate" due to its intensity, but I genuinely hated her father throughout the book. His actions were profoundly disturbing. Despite the darkness, I was relieved to see Sinclair eventually finding a support system for her brother and mother.
Safia Sinclair masterfully crafts a coherent and compelling story arc in her memoir. While I typically do not enjoy poetry, as I often struggle to understand it, her poetic prowess shines through her prose. Although some of her poetic language puzzled me, I could still grasp the overarching meanings and emotions she conveyed.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
katewhite77's review against another edition
5.0
Safia Sinclair is a poet, and it shows in her wonderful prose style. Though the writing style is beautifully poetic, the content is hard to read to read. Don't go into this expecting an easy ride, especially because the writing is visceral.
Safia grew up in Montego Bay Jamaica with her mother, father, and three younger siblings, who are all rastafari. This is, for the most part, a peaceful religion that believes Jamaica should be free from white colonial rule, also known as Babylon.
Over time however Safia"s father is over taken by religious furver and starts to follow a sect that believes in a very narrow interpretation of rastafaranism, particularly in regard to the role of women. This leads to him exerting tighter and tighter control over the females in the family.
Safia finds an escape route out through education and poetry. The book is dedicated to her mother, and it is easy to see why because she is amazing.
I fully expect this book to feature in my best books of the year, not least because it references the best band in the world. The Mighy Cranberries.
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Religious bigotry and Classism
darcygabe's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Colonisation, and Classism