Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

How to Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir by Safiya Sinclair

54 reviews

aleyajo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

4.25

It’s fascinating what elements of culture counter-culture groups choose to keep / implement - the patriarchy is dangerous wherever it exists.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

sabrinaleaf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

4.5

4.5 ⭐️ 
Amazing, Safiya Sinclair has such a way with words: she pulls you into her story and doesn’t let you go. 

The only reason why this isn’t a five star read for me is because I almost dnf it after I read the prologue. To me, the prologue felt more like it was written for a fantasy standalone; it felt disjointed with the rest of her memoir.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Violence, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Miscarriage

stellahadz's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This is easily one of the best memoirs I've ever read. The prose is beautiful, the story is captivating, and as someone with only very superficial knowledge of Rastafari, it was fascinating to learn more about the lived experiences of someone who grew up in that movement. I absolutely recommend this book. 

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Content Warnings

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

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.75

Style/writing: 5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Perspective: 4.5 stars

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Content Warnings

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

rmla's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Injury/Injury detail

hullosweetpea's review against another edition

challenging emotional slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Sexism and Suicide attempt

Minor: Racism

craftyanty's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

This is a beautifully written, emotional memoir about breaking out of intergenerational trauma.  I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, narrated by the author, because it brings to life the lyricism of her writing as well as the language of her heritage. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence

roohanin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism

mshahan's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence

carmina_r's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Beautiful, lush and poetic prose; stunning story. Hard to read at times but completely worth it.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Misogyny