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A review by ari__s
Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws by Kate Bornstein
4.0
While I had appreciation for the idea of this book when I came across it, it generally isn't something that I would pick up and read (How-To books, Guide books... that sort of thing isn't really in my interest wheelhouse; it's hard to stay engaged, I've found), but when it was listed on the "recommended reading" section of a course syllabus and I had time to kill before my actual textbooks arrived in the mail, I figured what the hell.
Glad that's what I figured.
Having read Kate Bornstein's memoir, what I loved about this book was how it felt so much like a conversation. What I additionally loved was that Kate Bornstein seems like a really fabulous person to talk to. At no point while reading this did I feel suicidal, but I still managed to feel a whole hell of a lot better in general after reading this book, as well as feeling a bit more prepared for having these 101 tips in my pocket to share with others if a situation ever calls for it. As someone in the Queer community, I found Bornstein's gender/sexual orientation/sexuality focus to be hugely relevant and necessary, though I could see how it could be a deterrent for others. I think she saw that too while writing it, but very plainly didn't give a fuck and plowed onward. An approach to which only applause can be given in response.
Overall, I found this to be a well-rounded, firm but gentle, no-bullshit approach to this topic. It's not a cure-all; she calls it how it is and speaks to the truth of each person's all-encompassing power to determine the course of their life, but her consistent sincerity of wanting the reader to continue on prevails throughout, making this a must-have on anyone's bookshelf if they're working with teens/young adults/people in general.
Glad that's what I figured.
Having read Kate Bornstein's memoir, what I loved about this book was how it felt so much like a conversation. What I additionally loved was that Kate Bornstein seems like a really fabulous person to talk to. At no point while reading this did I feel suicidal, but I still managed to feel a whole hell of a lot better in general after reading this book, as well as feeling a bit more prepared for having these 101 tips in my pocket to share with others if a situation ever calls for it. As someone in the Queer community, I found Bornstein's gender/sexual orientation/sexuality focus to be hugely relevant and necessary, though I could see how it could be a deterrent for others. I think she saw that too while writing it, but very plainly didn't give a fuck and plowed onward. An approach to which only applause can be given in response.
Overall, I found this to be a well-rounded, firm but gentle, no-bullshit approach to this topic. It's not a cure-all; she calls it how it is and speaks to the truth of each person's all-encompassing power to determine the course of their life, but her consistent sincerity of wanting the reader to continue on prevails throughout, making this a must-have on anyone's bookshelf if they're working with teens/young adults/people in general.