foggy_rosamund's review
3.0
After being injured, Sophie Collins found herself experiencing the emotions related to sexual assault she endured some years prior to this injury. This is a collection of essays exploring the process of coping with those emotions, from the intense physical responses, to meditations on shame and anger. There are some excellent aspects to this book -- Collins draws from a wide range of sources, and her writing is clear, honest and intelligent -- but I did not feel that the book made sense as a coherent whole, and some of the mixed-media aspects (such as found poems, use of photography, aphorisms from self-help books) didn't seem to meld well with the more academic parts. This could have been shortened and made into a long single essay, and that might have made it more focused.
scf2ke's review
4.0
Felt very genuine, enjoyed the curation/analysis of readings and artists more than the actual prose and poetry of the author. I liked the ideas about female empowerment, anger, shame and self care. Brief length was apt
joanna_mward's review
5.0
CW sexual assault, trauma
Starts off really personal, reflective, and gets more and more engaged with critical and literary theory as it goes. Reflecting on where shame comes from, how it manifests, from an explicitly feminist and personal perspective, incorporating photographs, poems, affirmations and anecdotes as well as more extended prose. Fascinating, moving, illuminating — both whimsical and profound, personal and political. Will truly help me re-think trauma and shame from now on.
Would really especially recommend for fans of Maggie Nelson, Chris Kraus (I Love Dick), Andrea Long Chu (Females) — similar tones and vibes of incorporating philosophical and critical enquiry with personal questions. LOVE
Starts off really personal, reflective, and gets more and more engaged with critical and literary theory as it goes. Reflecting on where shame comes from, how it manifests, from an explicitly feminist and personal perspective, incorporating photographs, poems, affirmations and anecdotes as well as more extended prose. Fascinating, moving, illuminating — both whimsical and profound, personal and political. Will truly help me re-think trauma and shame from now on.
Would really especially recommend for fans of Maggie Nelson, Chris Kraus (I Love Dick), Andrea Long Chu (Females) — similar tones and vibes of incorporating philosophical and critical enquiry with personal questions. LOVE
helenmcclory's review
5.0
One of those short books you really need to read more than once, over the course of years, to fully absorb.
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