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chelseamichaela's reviews
79 reviews
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
2.0
There’s no doubt that Plath is a talented writer but I can’t overlook how this book made me feel.
This book was continuously recommended by my white peers for years, swearing that this was the pinnacle of feminist literature…and they’re not wrong. It’s crack for the white feminist.
I didn’t like nor care for Esther. As a reader, or the person that I am…I would have loved to see her growth throughout the book but I wanted nothing more than to throw this book across my room.
No matter what the book was trying to accomplish, I could not get past Esther’s gross use of distasteful micro-aggressions/stereotypes and casual racism when describing POC characters. I could barely stomach reading her when she was institutionalised and the way that Esther’s Black server was described, and how she treated the man.
She is often in the habit of comparing her own unpleasant features to those of WOC/WOC features.
Is this the feminism you all were talking about?
So no, it’s not that I “don’t get it”
I get it, it sucks.
This book was continuously recommended by my white peers for years, swearing that this was the pinnacle of feminist literature…and they’re not wrong. It’s crack for the white feminist.
I didn’t like nor care for Esther. As a reader, or the person that I am…I would have loved to see her growth throughout the book but I wanted nothing more than to throw this book across my room.
No matter what the book was trying to accomplish, I could not get past Esther’s gross use of distasteful micro-aggressions/stereotypes and casual racism when describing POC characters. I could barely stomach reading her when she was institutionalised and the way that Esther’s Black server was described, and how she treated the man.
She is often in the habit of comparing her own unpleasant features to those of WOC/WOC features.
Is this the feminism you all were talking about?
So no, it’s not that I “don’t get it”
I get it, it sucks.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
1.0
a somewhat disappointing read considering the concept is pretty sick. i saw that this was initially written as a screenplay and it suddenly made sense haha. dialogue was a bit forced, everything seemed very literal, it completely took me out of the book; it didn’t feel like a story. the rules of the time travel was mentioned so…many…times… WE GET IT—it was mind numbingly exhausting.
i actually would love to see this adapted to the screen; my letterboxd review may be higher.
also, the way the author describes women makes me think that he’s never seen a woman before??? somehow he said a whole lot of nothing and i still could not paint a picture of what the women looked like.
i was tempted to add this to my DNF list, but i love making myself suffer…i STRUGGLED to make it to the end, but the second part was arguably the best (using “best” very loosely). the last story…jesus fucking christ…i need a midol and three 4 lokos.
the book was not very immersive and i found myself a bit bored at times.
i actually would love to see this adapted to the screen; my letterboxd review may be higher.
also, the way the author describes women makes me think that he’s never seen a woman before??? somehow he said a whole lot of nothing and i still could not paint a picture of what the women looked like.
i was tempted to add this to my DNF list, but i love making myself suffer…i STRUGGLED to make it to the end, but the second part was arguably the best (using “best” very loosely). the last story…jesus fucking christ…i need a midol and three 4 lokos.
the book was not very immersive and i found myself a bit bored at times.
Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“A mother’s love is devoted. Consuming”
WHAT A READ! Recommending to everyone I know.
WHAT A READ! Recommending to everyone I know.