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laurengerringer's review
5.0
one of the most eye opening and informative books i’ve read. everyone should read this so they can get a true understanding for the reproductive crisis that is happening right now
cass1699's review
5.0
i’m really glad that i took the time to pick up this book. i’ve always been vehemently pro-choice, and reading shah’s work has only solidified my opinion on that stance.
‘you’re the only one i’ve told: the stories behind abortion’ is definitely quite heavy, and it can be triggering at times, especially if you’re someone who has gone through experiences similar to those depicted by the author. however, this is an extremely important book, and it’s a piece of writing that i believe everyone should read.
i appreciate the author adopting an intersectional and patient-centred approach to both the writing of this book as well as her daily medical practice. i learned a lot from her, and my heart breaks for the people who shared their stories and all the awful things they had to endure. the anti-abortion movement is truly such an insidious, sinister thing.
shah’s writing was both educational and accessible. i can’t explain how happy i am that she took the time to craft such a wonderful book. the stories told within its pages cover such a wide variety of experiences and circumstances. the author’s intention while writing this book was to lessen the stigma around abortion—in my opinion, she did a fantastic job. i sincerely hope that it results in readers leaving with higher levels of compassion and significantly more open minds!
‘you’re the only one i’ve told: the stories behind abortion’ is definitely quite heavy, and it can be triggering at times, especially if you’re someone who has gone through experiences similar to those depicted by the author. however, this is an extremely important book, and it’s a piece of writing that i believe everyone should read.
i appreciate the author adopting an intersectional and patient-centred approach to both the writing of this book as well as her daily medical practice. i learned a lot from her, and my heart breaks for the people who shared their stories and all the awful things they had to endure. the anti-abortion movement is truly such an insidious, sinister thing.
shah’s writing was both educational and accessible. i can’t explain how happy i am that she took the time to craft such a wonderful book. the stories told within its pages cover such a wide variety of experiences and circumstances. the author’s intention while writing this book was to lessen the stigma around abortion—in my opinion, she did a fantastic job. i sincerely hope that it results in readers leaving with higher levels of compassion and significantly more open minds!
michaelarjones's review
2.0
ooof this book severely needed an editors involvement. i don’t know that i learned much of anything from this. i would have loved to have been moved by any of the people’s stories but everything just felt. so. repetitive. :/
emily_gaynier's review
5.0
Normally I don't rate books that are people's stories, especially stories that are so raw, but I want to make sure this book and my review is found by those who need it
I think that this book is perfect for anyone who feels lonely in their choices when it comes to having children. I am a child of an adopted parent (one who is only a few years younger than Sally in the last chapter) and I am also childfree by choice. I know that if I were to become pregnant, I would head straight to the nearest abortion provider. Adoption is not an alternative to abortion. My dad was lucky that he found such a loving and caring family. Also I know what happens to a pregnant body and I do not want that done to me. I like my organs where they are, thank you.
This book focuses on mainly women of color who are children of immigrants, which is amazing. I feel like I learned a lot. And I am also glad we got a cis man's perspective on his then partner's abortion, along with a nonbinary person's story. But I feel like we missed a few pieces to the narrative. I would've loved to see a trans man's story and a story that would more resemble mine.
Maybe one day, I'll have to get an abortion and I can send Dr. Shah my story
I was raised Catholic, so some of the details of the stories hit home. I would probably not tell my parents about me choosing to end a pregnancy until after the fact. They are pro-life as my dad could've been aborted. I have at least two friends who I know who made this decision and I know if I ask, they would drive me home after an appointment. I am also very lucky in the state that I live in and the partner that I have. Both support me in my choice to never have kids.
It's very upsetting to know that the lies I was told in Catholic School health class about abortions are the same that a woman in the 1970's or so was told.
I think that this book is perfect for anyone who feels lonely in their choices when it comes to having children. I am a child of an adopted parent (one who is only a few years younger than Sally in the last chapter) and I am also childfree by choice. I know that if I were to become pregnant, I would head straight to the nearest abortion provider. Adoption is not an alternative to abortion. My dad was lucky that he found such a loving and caring family. Also I know what happens to a pregnant body and I do not want that done to me. I like my organs where they are, thank you.
This book focuses on mainly women of color who are children of immigrants, which is amazing. I feel like I learned a lot. And I am also glad we got a cis man's perspective on his then partner's abortion, along with a nonbinary person's story. But I feel like we missed a few pieces to the narrative. I would've loved to see a trans man's story and a story that would more resemble mine.
Maybe one day, I'll have to get an abortion and I can send Dr. Shah my story
I was raised Catholic, so some of the details of the stories hit home. I would probably not tell my parents about me choosing to end a pregnancy until after the fact. They are pro-life as my dad could've been aborted. I have at least two friends who I know who made this decision and I know if I ask, they would drive me home after an appointment. I am also very lucky in the state that I live in and the partner that I have. Both support me in my choice to never have kids.
It's very upsetting to know that the lies I was told in Catholic School health class about abortions are the same that a woman in the 1970's or so was told.
cassidy_rain's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
“My hope is that this collection of stories about abortion will enable others to share theirs. Opening up about a personal experience, let alone a controversial one, is scary. But with risk comes reward. Stories have power.”
You’re The Only One I’ve Told is a powerful and informative collection of stories of women/child-bearing persons who have had abortions. The author is a reproductive health doctor who performs abortions and aims to end the stigma against the medical procedure.
I really appreciate how this is informative, yet takes a compassionate and empathic approach to the subject matter. I’m someone who already vehemently believes in a person’s right to choose. I work in healthcare and have studied health education and women’s health, and this even left with me some things to think about. I really enjoyed the storytelling with information and facts sprinkled throughout each chapter. You can learn a lot in an easy to digest manner. There are so many scenarios when someone may need or want an abortion and this does a great job of diving into that nuance.
“There is no such thing as a good abortion or a bad abortion or someone who is worthy of an abortion or someone who is not.”
You’re The Only One I’ve Told is a powerful and informative collection of stories of women/child-bearing persons who have had abortions. The author is a reproductive health doctor who performs abortions and aims to end the stigma against the medical procedure.
I really appreciate how this is informative, yet takes a compassionate and empathic approach to the subject matter. I’m someone who already vehemently believes in a person’s right to choose. I work in healthcare and have studied health education and women’s health, and this even left with me some things to think about. I really enjoyed the storytelling with information and facts sprinkled throughout each chapter. You can learn a lot in an easy to digest manner. There are so many scenarios when someone may need or want an abortion and this does a great job of diving into that nuance.
“There is no such thing as a good abortion or a bad abortion or someone who is worthy of an abortion or someone who is not.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse