Reviews tagging 'Racism'

A Bit Of A Stretch by Chris Atkins

6 reviews

paukinra's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative sad fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide

Moderate: Addiction and Racism

Minor: Murder

thequeenofsheba3's review against another edition

dark informative fast-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault and Xenophobia

havelock's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Racism

bridget_t's review against another edition

dark funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

digitalnomadgirl's review

challenging dark funny hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0

An absolute must read. First hand account of a documentary film maker who goes to prison for tax fraud and records his experiences. An amazing honest insight which would never be shown to journalists or politicians. A funny and light hearted read but also dark and moving. Also has a lot of practical and realistic suggestions for reform. Highly recommended!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, and Murder

susannaobrien's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad fast-paced

3.5

Through his frank writing style, Atkins gives an eye-opening account of the horrific state of UK prisons, and the lack of empathy and efficiency with which they're run. 

I appreciated his focus on mental health and the links he made between antiquated admin systems, career politicians serving their own interest, and societal views which culminate in worse circumstances for both prisoners and the wider world. At multiple moments I had to pause out of feelings of sadness and frustration at these broken institutions.

I think it's clear from the book that his experience is still hugely privileged by him being an educated white man, and he does acknowledge this at various points, however I'd have liked him to explore this further and make stronger recommendations on how prisons can avoid perpetuating the racial and economic inequities of the outside society. In an attempt to be funny, he also uses some pretty problematic language throughout (in his own voice, not just quoting others), and although he gives a relatively weak justification at quite a late stage of the book as to why (the effects of prison culture on him), it was still hard to read and might alienate readers. 

Overall a decent read and has sparked some interesting conversations since.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, and Vomit