chaseledin's review against another edition
5.0
Michael Warner's fiery account of the halting gay & lesbian movement is beyond pleasurable. Sexual shame in the United States is a spitfire cause as is the effectiveness of normativity not only in the public realm (i.e. gay/lesbian politics) but also in the bedroom (sexual politics). Warner's book is a sure classic and a necessary informant for the future of the LG movement. A definite recommendation.
inkyisaac's review against another edition
it was a good primer to queer theroy, but jesus did it repeat itself
grievouscat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
isaacreads's review
it was a good primer to queer theroy, but jesus did it repeat itself
jpfriday's review
4.0
“Get over yourself. Put a wig on before you judge. You stand to learn most from the people you think are beneath you.” I took my time finishing this: its dense intellectual tone can deter. But “The Trouble With Normal,” even twenty years after release, is a book of enduring questions and high stakes. In examining the ties between sex, respectability, queer ethics, the institution of marriage, and private/public space, Warner reveals the spiderweb cracks in society we would do well to address – and in most cases, break wide open. This book speaks to ways of living that slice through “every form of hierarchy you could bring into the room.” It feels adventurous.
nittanyryan's review
5.0
This book changed/clarified the way I thought of sexuality....and everything else, really.
tasha's review
Didn't make it through the first chapter. Published in 2000, I think this book is already too dated to be useful in current discussions. It also holds the reader's hand far too much for me to keep my patience with it.
aasplund's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This is my first foray into queer theory and it was an intense start. While this book is a bit dated (written in the late 1990's), it certainly gave me a deeper understanding of the LGBTQ movement and the diverse perspectives within the queer community. In some ways, this book felt similar to [b:Why I Am Not a Feminist: A Feminist Manifesto|31227905|Why I Am Not a Feminist A Feminist Manifesto|Jessa Crispin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479829421l/31227905._SX50_.jpg|51884201] - both authors feel that their movements have become too palatable and mild to create real change. And both author talk about the patriarchal and heteronormative nature of many aspects of our current society - especially marriage. While this was an interesting read and gave me a lot to think about, I don't feel that it made me into a better ally.
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