sweddy65's review against another edition
5.0
Out of all the books I've read in 2018, this one is my favorite which is especially sweet because it came toward the end. (Please note: I've read other fantastic books this year.)
Among other things, Myriam Gurba does spoken word, and that comes across the page in the best way. I read a good deal of this book out loud to my wife, even when she probably didn't want me to because she was doing something else.
But, listen! - I'd say.
The first of these came from an early chapter called, "The Whites," about white neighbors with whom Myriam stayed when her parents were in the hospital for the complicated birth of her twin. They eat dinner. The white mother claims to have made a Mexican casserole, which she served with brussels sprouts.
"The brussels sprouts were a different story. I scooped one into my moutha nd realized its flavor: eternal damnation."
And when Myriam goes to Cal: "Dr. Brown couldn't help sucking. Her voice cracked when she lectured, and her syllabus said that it was her first year being a professor. The first year doing anything new usually sucks, but Dr. Brown had the clothes part down--she dressed like an English professor." (Even though Gurba is brutal about her professors and I recognize my own mediocrity in some of her descriptions, I don't even mind because her writing is so good.)
So, it's funny, but it's also hard because it is also about rape and about PTSD. It's one story, one possible story of all the possible stories Gurba could probably tell, about being Mexican American, lesbian, being raped, being marred and scarred because of that, but continuing.
I have been telling everyone to read this book. If I were independently wealthy, I would buy copies for everyone. As it is, I am not independently wealthy, so I will buy a copy for the first woman I ever loved and mail it to her and hope she loves the book as much as I did.
Among other things, Myriam Gurba does spoken word, and that comes across the page in the best way. I read a good deal of this book out loud to my wife, even when she probably didn't want me to because she was doing something else.
But, listen! - I'd say.
The first of these came from an early chapter called, "The Whites," about white neighbors with whom Myriam stayed when her parents were in the hospital for the complicated birth of her twin. They eat dinner. The white mother claims to have made a Mexican casserole, which she served with brussels sprouts.
"The brussels sprouts were a different story. I scooped one into my moutha nd realized its flavor: eternal damnation."
And when Myriam goes to Cal: "Dr. Brown couldn't help sucking. Her voice cracked when she lectured, and her syllabus said that it was her first year being a professor. The first year doing anything new usually sucks, but Dr. Brown had the clothes part down--she dressed like an English professor." (Even though Gurba is brutal about her professors and I recognize my own mediocrity in some of her descriptions, I don't even mind because her writing is so good.)
So, it's funny, but it's also hard because it is also about rape and about PTSD. It's one story, one possible story of all the possible stories Gurba could probably tell, about being Mexican American, lesbian, being raped, being marred and scarred because of that, but continuing.
I have been telling everyone to read this book. If I were independently wealthy, I would buy copies for everyone. As it is, I am not independently wealthy, so I will buy a copy for the first woman I ever loved and mail it to her and hope she loves the book as much as I did.
talapowis's review against another edition
4.0
Thought provoking and interesting word choice // artistic writing style
lisaeirene's review against another edition
3.0
I'm unsure of how I feel about this book.
First, I liked the writing style. It was poetic and stream of consciousness-esque, there was some really powerful and beautiful writing in there.
Second, I think the memoir takes on a lot of important topics--racism, culture, sexual assault, harassment, GLBT issues, anorexia, family, recovery and death.
"The privilege of surviving doesn't feel good. It makes me feel guilty."
But the reason I feel so torn about this book is that I did not like the author's voice at all. She came across as pretentious and condescending and too "mean-girl". I GET the feminist rage. I get that she's angry. I get that she wanted to write about her difficult life experiences -- life changing experiences -- but she just came across as a snotty, snobby, privileged Berkeley chick who just happens to be Latina and gay. Her voice throughout the book is just very off-putting to me. Which is disappointing because it could have been such a good, important book!
First, I liked the writing style. It was poetic and stream of consciousness-esque, there was some really powerful and beautiful writing in there.
Second, I think the memoir takes on a lot of important topics--racism, culture, sexual assault, harassment, GLBT issues, anorexia, family, recovery and death.
"The privilege of surviving doesn't feel good. It makes me feel guilty."
But the reason I feel so torn about this book is that I did not like the author's voice at all. She came across as pretentious and condescending and too "mean-girl". I GET the feminist rage. I get that she's angry. I get that she wanted to write about her difficult life experiences -- life changing experiences -- but she just came across as a snotty, snobby, privileged Berkeley chick who just happens to be Latina and gay. Her voice throughout the book is just very off-putting to me. Which is disappointing because it could have been such a good, important book!
barkylee15's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. The narrative style of this was interesting - almost poetic at times. Overall, it was a strong memoir and even managed to be humorous too.
lifesaverscandyofficial's review against another edition
great book. sharp, funny, insanely mean at times. flinching, which I loved. maybe tailspinned a little at the end but I forgive it
laurie_bridges's review against another edition
5.0
An honest book - Myriam’s words felt like the raw closeness of a high school friend telling you her story.
courtneynicolem's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.5
This made me sad as fuck. Also mad as fuck. But it helped me come to the realization it’s ok to be a mean ass bitch. So thanks for that.