Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

13 reviews

kchin's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

Her voice is strong, writing is clear and brilliant. Everyone needs to read this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Colonisation

remimicha's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical trauma, and Toxic friendship

buttermellow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Colonisation

june_haya's review against another edition

3.75

This book feels like putting sugar on a bruise that is already purple. I think that means I liked it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Alcoholism, Genocide, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Abortion

ltulisiak's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This was a fascinating and heartbreaking essay about discrimination, abuse, mental health, racism, and family dynamics. There were several sections of this essay that were incredibly educational for me, a cis, hetero, white woman who grew up in a very safe, wealthy, and supported environment. Other sections of this book- especially those tackling mental health- resonated with me and helped me to look introspectively about my relationship with myself and with others and how it impacts my mental health. I would highly recommend this essay! 

Additionally, the author is originally from Buffalo, NY, and was partially raised in the greater Cleveland, OH, area, so I felt a geographical connection with her, as well. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Classism

Minor: Suicide attempt

solenodon's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Pregnancy

Minor: Physical abuse and Forced institutionalization

sofiareadings's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

remib's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

littlecat's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.75

Its not a style I read a lot of books in (personal essays) which was interesting, it has a distinct own style and I like the humor in it despite the heavy topics. I felt like I read at least part of the essays before but that may just because I read other things about the topics before, definitly interesting.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Pregnancy

Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, and Rape

ohlhauc's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

An absolutely stunning, well-crafted collection of essays on the author's lived experience as a Tuscarora woman in the U.S. and Canada, and her reflections on indigenous identity and representation overall.

Her simple, no-holds-barred style of writing will make you think about topics on colonialism, racism, privilege, media representation, effects of poverty and intergenerational trauma, and more. Definitely look at content warnings as some heavy topics are discussed but if you are in the frame of mind to read about those things, this is a must-read for anyone interested in indigenous issues, intergenerational ideas, media, and memoir. 

My favourite essays in the collection were:
-A Mind Spread Out on the Ground
-Weight
-34 Grams Per Dose
-On Forbidden Rooms and Intentional Forgetting

But all of the essays were wonderful and worth the read. A new favourite book! I can't wait for more work to be published by this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Racism

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Genocide, Sexual content, and Forced institutionalization