Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur

2 reviews

emalderwood's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I picked this up as part of a reading challenge, not having really high expectations. I was wary of it being a very 'feel-good,' 'self-help' type book. Instead, I discovered probably one of my favourite books of all time - a book that, despite being published 4 years ago, touched on my deepest fears and pain as we struggle to keep hoping and pushing for change amidst an internationally-broadcast genocide. 

This was like a love letter to anyone who is laboring for a better world founded in love - real, just love and not the kind that doesn't require action. The bits of personal experience lent depth and poignancy to the lessons imparted and it really felt like a big sister taking me by the hand and saying "you are strong enough, and you are not alone." I cried so many times reading this - both at the wisdom Valarie Kaur shared, the words that spoke to me, and at the weight of the grief and pain she recounts bearing witness to. Anyone struggling to make sense of injustice, to find their way in a broken world, or to keep working towards justice through pain and grief: READ. THIS. BOOK. 

I also appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the Sikh faith. Kaur wove elements of her spirituality throughout the book in a way that was accessible, I believe, to anyone of any faith. She has studied other religions and holds appreciation for practices beyond her own and uses examples to help demonstrate how specific wisdom is relevant to other spiritualities. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Hate crime

Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Minor: Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Suicide attempt

ajaggers324's review

challenging hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Medical trauma

Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Genocide, Homophobia, Infertility, Terminal illness, Antisemitism, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic