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Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'
The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
33 reviews
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Toxic relationship
avisreadsandreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Violence
myclutteredbookshelf's review against another edition
3.5
Now, as a fan of Monáe's music, I must admit that I was both excited and apprehensive about reading this collection. Monáe has already proved herself to be a skilled lyricist and storyteller with her first two albums, which detail the exploits of android fugitive Cindi Mayweather. However, there is a huge difference between writing songs and writing prose, and while I don't want to imply that collaborative writing projects are inferior to solo ones, I couldn't help but worry that this was a sign that Monáe was out of her depth.
Read the full review at My Cluttered Bookshelf.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug use, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Classism
mothreadsbookssometimes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
It featured a unique government and technology system that felt realistic, but I really struggled to wrap my head around it for some reason. That was more of a personal issue, though.
My main issue with the book is really the opposite of a problem, and that is that I wanted more in the book. I found that by the time I settled into a story, it ended and switched to the next story and characters.
Quick ratings of each short story (spoiler-free)
The Memory Librarian - 4.5/5; I loved the relationship and it established the world very well.
Nevermind - 4/5; it was a really good story but the ending felt a little weak and I wanted more.
Timebox - 3/5; this was straight out of the Twilight Zone, but I really didn’t get it.
Save Changes - 5/5; my favorite of the stories—the writing was excellent and the plot was so great.
Timebox Altar(ed) : 5/5; it was so full of optimism and the writing style was beautiful.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, and Police brutality
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Chronic illness and Sexual content
dreareads_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved it. The stories are all set in a dystopian future where human memories are currency and any person that does not conform to strict definitions of of gender, love, and belief are immediately classified as Dirty Computers. Even at its darkest, the thread of hope, acceptance, and love cursed through every page. I was sad every time a story ended, but was usually immediately gripped by the next one.
All the stories were a little on the nose with their messaging, but to me this willligness to be obvious with their stance felt refreshing instead of tiresome. Of all the stories, I think 'Timebox' was my favorite just because of the way it explores ideas of time theft and exhaustion under capitalism. I was moved by the raw exhaustion and infuriating ending.
I also listened to the "Dirty Computer" Album while reading the book and I loved the way they seamlessly fit together.
Final lesson is the world (I) needs more Science Fiction written by Janelle Monáe
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Confinement, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Classism
laurareads87's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
This collection of short stories is best read after (re)watching Dirty Computer, as the text is set in the world of Dirty Computer and includes the characters therein. I appreciate this collection as a hopeful visioning, in many cases focused on the carving out of utopian, pleasurable spaces amidst struggles for liberation from totalitarianism. I like the inclusion of a short essay and some discussion questions at the end of the book, well suited to a book club. With each short story featuring a different co-author, I did find the collection read a bit unevenly, with some stories more compelling than others. The book is best at its most subtle; in a few instances, the analysis felt a bit heavy. Monáe is tremendously talented and I'm not at all surprised her first work of written fiction is solid; I'll happily pick up her next one.
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Gaslighting
agw622's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Chronic illness and Drug use
brichneyfloss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexism