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ebrooker0103's review against another edition
3.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide
readingbrb's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction and Death
starduststyx's review against another edition
3.5
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
annie10's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Death
meecespieces's review against another edition
4.75
Minor: Death and Suicide
lily1304's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Suicide
nnia's review
4.75
I don’t think I’m giving anything away here. Learning to unlearn what we have learned is a common practice in the colonial world.
Would have liked more time, space, and panels on the concluding desirable outcome and more enjoyment of life.
Happy for Allison and her loved ones.
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, and Alcohol
eloiserw's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death
doggamn's review against another edition
4.25
I read Are You My Mother? a few years back and loved it, relating to the interwovenness of Bechdel's life with her mother's. The Secret to Superhuman Strength was a bit less catered to me, being largely about exercise and learning about one's own strengths and limitations, but once I got past that, I started to really enjoy it.
Bechdel published this book as she neared 60, and I read it as I near 30 (a little over a year away for me). The book is part memoir, part biography, and part musings on Bechdel's place in the world and how she slots in with the rest of the planet's inhabitants/terrain. Superhuman Strength piqued my interest with its looks at athletic trends from the past decade, Buddhism and spirituality in general, discussion of the lives and vocations of famous writers, and--perhaps most of all--Bechdel's relationship with her own mortality.
As someone whose body has been at odds with themself, I related strongly to Bechdel lamenting losing the ability to perform some of her former activities due to physical strains and injuries. I recently accepted that I am disabled, with chronic pain and mental illness both contributing to many days of muddied thoughts. I've been trying lately to not resent my own body for failing me at times, keeping me couch-ridden with back pain and nausea. Raleigh and I recently started taking walks fairly regularly and I've commented to him a few times now about how frustrating it is to realize that exercise actually does help with a lot of issues. I feel inspired after reading Bechdel's book and seeing her illustrations (which still thrill me); I want to maintain a relationship to my body and nurture it by exploring. I want to spend more time outside of the city/suburbs and take in nature, allowing myself to feel small.
I want to feel more oneness with my self and the world around me, and to navigate life more thoughtfully.
Onward to the grave!
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness and Sexual harassment
karolinaz's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Medical content, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, and Cultural appropriation