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Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'
How to Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir by Safiya Sinclair
26 reviews
bookishevy's review against another edition
5.0
Sinclair details her upbringing by an unstable musician father who adhered to a strict, read: misogynistic sect of Rastafari. He was obsessed with his daughters' purity and believed they would be corrupted by the Western world, referred to as Babylon. He forbade them from wearing pants, jewelry, or makeup, and they weren't allowed to have friends or opinions.
I was going to rant about his hypocrisy and how he was everything he hated: an oppressor. Because he was especially harsh toward the author, as she was expected to be an example of the proper Rastawoman for her younger sisters, while their brother had more freedom. When she pushed back, her father became unhinged.
Out of respect for Sinclair, I will bite my tongue and instead focus on her mother, with whom I am enamored. There were times when this man wasn't booking gigs, and he refused to work for Babylon, saying, "Jah will provide." Meanwhile, it was their mother who foraged for food so they could eat. She never complained, but she wanted better for her children than this life of instability, so she gave them the gift of books.
But an education can only get you so far. Sinclair’s schooling had stalled. She was trapped by her parents' financial constraints, which is sadly true for a lot of bright, underprivileged individuals. Her journey was especially harrowing because she'd been under her father's many roofs far longer than her siblings. Sometimes, it takes more than intelligence to be successful. It takes opportunity, and her mother was always the one behind the scenes doing God's work and finding ways to get her eldest from under her father's eye.
Sinclair’s story is also an example of how the arts help us cope with hardships. Through poetry, she was able to process her trauma. And what a poet. The words practically leap off the pages. Words of sadness. Words of hope that one day, her father would take accountability and accept her as she is.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
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
amberinpieces's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Drug use, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
00phantom's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Vomit
_aurora_'s review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
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
wynnebirchmaple's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
mshahan's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence