Reviews

Verboden schrift by Alba de Céspedes

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giovianna's review against another edition

5.0

such a complex and full nuanced illustration of uniquely italian misogyny internalized and subtly reinforced externally, absolutely an experience this book is

_aob_'s review against another edition

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reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

milbelmama's review against another edition

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Didn’t open it, will later, just too much going on.

smuds2's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Spoiler

This was a very good book and I encourage a lot of people to read it. With that being said, I have some problems with it.

From a writing point of views - it's incredibly accessible while still bringing incredibly complex ideas to the table. The diary format is incredibly powerful in the way it's utilized to swing the reader around from on the mc's side, to critical of the mc, to interrogating the MC. It's just such an interactive novel - the kind that I had trouble getting through a couple of pages without my mind spiraling in arguments with myself on how I should interpret the previous meaning. Not necessarily that it's difficult to comprehend or hashtag deep, per se, but a situation can look radically different depending on the perspective you give the text.

This is often tauted as a feminist book - and I have some problems with that labelling. It's feminist, from a perspective, sure. And most outwardly. Although I would just as easily say it's a commentary on the corrosive impacts of poverty and the way it transforms relationship dynamics. IMO - this is where I think I'm MOST dissapointed by the book. It could be such a stronger critique on the structural systems that made, for example, Michele think internally (at least, as we are led to believe by the MC) he is a failure for his position. The book was quick to point at structural and social factors that led to the overworked MC from a feminist perspective (basically, "women are put in this impossible bind and can never live up to it"), without ever fully committing to saying a similar thing from the $$ side (basically, "workers are put in this impossible bind of valuing themselves and others on the basis of occupation, wealth, etc and can never live up to it"). I think it detracted from the overall message not making that point.

There was also a Madonna Whore complex that was heavily emphasized towards the end of the book and TBH as an Ace-ish dude, I felt that entire line of discussion tiresome and unrelatable.

As a primary care-taker, house wife, etc. I felt like I had, maybe, a unique perspective on this book. I have been told, so many times, similar things Valeria is - that I'm working too hard, need to take a break etc. when I know that I could, but I can't. I'm compulsed to do it - both internally and externally. This makes her vitriol towards others throughout the book, but especially towards the end of the book, particularly offputting. I know exactly what it feels like to say "Ugh I'm so tired" and mean it to the depths of my body, to have my partner say "well I'll make dinner", only for me to say "no I will, I don't want you too you've worked today etc" and really mean that as well. So at the end of the book, when she considers her "accumulated capital" - I am particularly disgusted with her. It makes it hard to see this as a genuine piece and makes the narrator seem almost vile - and that leaves me wondering where she fits in with feminist arguments.

I read this very soon after Walker Percys Lancelot, which has strong themes of how the ambiguity of what is right and wrong leads to degradation of society as a whole, man individually, etc. And then, to come to this, written a generation earlier, to see Mirella praise the idea - or at least to say it's work I do that i'm happy to do - is jarring in a very interesting and refreshing way.

There is a lot in this book I haven't mentioned - but wow it is one to make you think.

eeeeeeee's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was such a beautiful book and I wish I had read it when I was 20 - it feels like an 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' novel, where you are going to feel different based on your time of life.

I wish I had read this book instead of listened to highlight the quotes that stood out to me. Two (that are probably paraphrased) are "How lucky that each generation has a war on which to blame their personal failings" and "Mirella says that the sin is treating love as sin." and dozens more about mothers and daughters and husbands and the expectations that the world and the family place on a woman. Just a beautiful wonderful read/listen and I would recommend it to anyone.