Reviews

The Women's House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison by Hugh Ryan

faehistory's review against another edition

challenging informative medium-paced

5.0

trishadanforth27's review against another edition

5.0

I listened to the audio book. I found this fascinating and inspiring. The dirty and hard truth. I want to dig in deeper!

kcup_espresso's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Hugh Ryan keeps delivering! I loved his previous book, When Brooklyn Was Queer. The Women's House of Detention I think somehow managed to be even better, which I did not think was possible. Ryan manages to not only write about fascinating topics in and of themselves, but is also able to write about them in a way that is both captivating and so incredibly personal. He weaves together various vignettes from both people's individual stories as well as incredibly well researched archival material into one story that flows so naturally. I also really appreciate how he not only humanizes the people he talks about, but treats them with incredible compassion and respect. I can't wait to see what he comes out with next!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Misogyny, Transphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Police brutality, Sexism, and Forced institutionalization

While this book is incredibly important in highlighting the history of the carceral system and the Women's House of Detention in particular and how both relate to queer history, some of these topics can be incredibly triggering for people, despite how delicately and respectfully the topics are handled by the author.

harbinger_pigeon's review against another edition

informative reflective

5.0

kleinekita's review against another edition

challenging informative medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Rape, Police brutality, Transphobia, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Mental illness

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

hearts_in_alcatraz's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I see Greenwich Village in a completely different light now.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racism, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Rape, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Confinement, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Grief, Classism, Death, and Drug use

mmorehart's review against another edition

emotional informative

4.0

moerenavillasenor's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

kayte_flanagan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

miekss's review against another edition

challenging informative sad medium-paced

5.0

A must (and essential) read about queer history. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, and Forced institutionalization