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kathrichards's review against another edition
5.0
I do believe that every writer, creator, and reader who has ever worried about cultural appropriation (or/and especially those who have not worried about this), should read this book.
aserra's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
In an enganging, non-judgmental way, Rekdal invites audiences to ruminate on topics that may make many uncomfortable. An important read for any creator and any person engaging with media.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cultural appropriation
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
5.0
I love love LOVE reading books by smart people.
madi's review against another edition
4.0
Appropriate by Paisley Rekdal takes the form of letters to an imagined student struggling with the ethics of appropriation in creative writing. This book is a comprehensive overview of all types of appropriation, cultural and not, and while it gives no definitive answers, it guides the reader to make their own decision through thoughtful analysis and historical contexts.
I would say this is a necessary read for any white writer, though I did find some of the information to be surface level, and some of the analysis to be too in depth and academic to be constructive to anyone outside of academia. As a whole, Rekdal does a great job at contextualizing appropriation in all of its different forms, and I’m leaving with a stacked reading list to continue the conversation. Definitely worth reading with a pen & highlighter in hand.
I would say this is a necessary read for any white writer, though I did find some of the information to be surface level, and some of the analysis to be too in depth and academic to be constructive to anyone outside of academia. As a whole, Rekdal does a great job at contextualizing appropriation in all of its different forms, and I’m leaving with a stacked reading list to continue the conversation. Definitely worth reading with a pen & highlighter in hand.
torchlab's review against another edition
3.5
This book was full of well-articulated and prescient insights about the nature and ethics of appropriation in literature, but I thought it was a little too long and as a result felt redundant in parts. Still, Rekdal is an excellent writer who's clearly devoted a lot of deep and serious thought to this topic, and the examples she writes about are fascinating and wisely chosen. Well worth a read.
readingthroughthelists's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
5.0
A thoughtful and nuanced discussion of a subject that is famously hard to define or even to grasp. I already need to read this book again!
theconorhilton's review against another edition
4.0
Consider me provoked! in a good way! Lots to think about here (and a remarkably measured and thoughtful writing style for a book subtitled "a provocation").
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