aquietglow's review
5.0
I liked this a lot. I've spent time in spaces where we lament the lack of diverse stories, or make fun of the way many men don't know how to write women. This made me kind of giddy in that regard -- there are so many possible stories, it seems laughable and ridiculous that people can't, or won't, write them.
I feel... like this is a big one, with a big impact, and it's going to stick with me, but it was rough reading. I feel weird suggesting someone look up trigger warnings because I know the author doesn't believe in them, but I would recommend reading with caution.
I feel... like this is a big one, with a big impact, and it's going to stick with me, but it was rough reading. I feel weird suggesting someone look up trigger warnings because I know the author doesn't believe in them, but I would recommend reading with caution.
bmpolito's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book is very well written, but the stories have a lot of violence against women and children. It's a tough read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
andreeavis's review
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pattibeee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I liked some of the stories more than others. The writing is amazing as usual, just a bit of a struggle for me to fe through. It’s a hard read.
sakisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is my first time reading Roxane Gay (late to the game, I know) and gosh, this collection was not an easy read! The stories below felt the most memorable for me:
‘I Will Follow You’ doesn’t need many words to be hard-hitting. Content warnings for this one (and every story after) are included below. Fuck Mr. Peters 😫
‘Florida’ was great fun. A bit fucked up, definitely, but also real. I could picture every one of these characters 🫠
‘How’ was so interesting. How life can feel so trivial, yet people can be going through things you just never know about! 😳
Spoiler
Loved Hanna and Laura’s little love story and how they managed to get away with Anna, Logan and the baby ✨‘Pilgrim’ was so interesting, because it feels taboo to talk about the heartbreak of losing a child. This felt sharp and succinct 🥲 Wholeheartedly heartbreaking and yet the lack of feeling was clearly so intentional!
‘Glass’ was familial and so messy. Loved that 🙊
All in all, I’m rating this collection 3.5 out of 5 stars. I’m looking forward to exploring more of Gay’s works ✨
Content warnings included as usual below.
Thank you!
Content warnings included as usual below.
Thank you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Death, Infertility, and Sexual violence
lottpoet's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
sexpest's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is one of the best books I have read. I love short stories that still somehow intertwine and Gay does an incredible job incorporating similar threads through each piece while still keeping each story an individual piece of intense storytelling. It's important that each chapter is no more than 20 pages due to the intensity of each story. To be so descriptive, and heart-wrenching, while still being concise is an incredible feat that Gay conquers incredibly well. Be aware that there are lots of talks of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, and overall violence towards women. There are also talks of child deaths and difficult pregnancies with the loss of children, as well as gorey descriptions of hunting animals. Never once have these triggering topics felt out of place though - they all serve a large purpose in the stories being told which I appreciate deeply. The writing style reminds me a lot of Carmen Maria Machado's Her Body and Other Parties, which is another book I rated 5/5 stars. Love this author immensely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Self harm, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
briannarengland's review
3.0
3.5
Netgalley gave me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review which is now posted on my blog here!
Netgalley gave me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review which is now posted on my blog here!