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Reviews tagging 'Lesbophobia'
The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe
9 reviews
avisreadsandreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Transphobia, and Confinement
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Racism
Minor: Chronic illness, Violence, and Ableism
dreareads_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
UGH! I love it when Science Fiction and social commentary come together to make such a creative, fresh, queer, unapologetic collection of short stories.
I loved it. The stories are all set in a dystopian future where human memories are currency and any person that does not conform to strict definitions of of gender, love, and belief are immediately classified as Dirty Computers. Even at its darkest, the thread of hope, acceptance, and love cursed through every page. I was sad every time a story ended, but was usually immediately gripped by the next one.
All the stories were a little on the nose with their messaging, but to me this willligness to be obvious with their stance felt refreshing instead of tiresome. Of all the stories, I think 'Timebox' was my favorite just because of the way it explores ideas of time theft and exhaustion under capitalism. I was moved by the raw exhaustion and infuriating ending.
I also listened to the "Dirty Computer" Album while reading the book and I loved the way they seamlessly fit together.
Final lesson is the world (I) needs more Science Fiction written by Janelle Monáe
I loved it. The stories are all set in a dystopian future where human memories are currency and any person that does not conform to strict definitions of of gender, love, and belief are immediately classified as Dirty Computers. Even at its darkest, the thread of hope, acceptance, and love cursed through every page. I was sad every time a story ended, but was usually immediately gripped by the next one.
All the stories were a little on the nose with their messaging, but to me this willligness to be obvious with their stance felt refreshing instead of tiresome. Of all the stories, I think 'Timebox' was my favorite just because of the way it explores ideas of time theft and exhaustion under capitalism. I was moved by the raw exhaustion and infuriating ending.
I also listened to the "Dirty Computer" Album while reading the book and I loved the way they seamlessly fit together.
Final lesson is the world (I) needs more Science Fiction written by Janelle Monáe
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Grief, Transphobia, Sexism, Biphobia, Body horror, Abandonment, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Lesbophobia, Racism, Classism, Hate crime, and Homophobia
agw622's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a collection of short stories there will of course be some better than others. Most of them are written to really challenge you to think in a world set to allow you to contemplate modern days issues. The charecters are amazing and vibrant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Outing, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Drug use
meg_thebrave's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a really cool collection of stories. I could tell it was Janelle’s first book, but it was still really cool to spend more time in the world they’ve spent so much time developing. I could see the way previous Black sci-fi writers influenced Janelle’s work, and I really enjoyed the creativity of each story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Classism, and Police brutality
readerette's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Each story takes place in the same universe, and some have the same characters. Since multiple authors are involved, each story has its own feel. Some of them were overly long in my opinion, and others had far too much poetry in the dialogue or descriptions, making it more difficult to understand what was going on, and making the characters less relatable since it's not a very natural speech pattern.
Feeling "othered" is a major theme in each story, and non-hetero relationships, non-cis/enby identity, and racial and ethnic diversity also played major roles.
Feeling "othered" is a major theme in each story, and non-hetero relationships, non-cis/enby identity, and racial and ethnic diversity also played major roles.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
bashsbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Dirty Computer fans, the story continues in this collection. I enjoy the translation of a tale told through audio and visuals into a written text, and I think this is a cool futuristic text with interesting and compelling things to say about gender, race, memory, sexuality, relationships, and revolution. I will say, it was a little slow to start; I had trouble fully immersing myself in the world and what was happening until the third narrator, Neer, and their perspective picks up at page 120. After that, the book was much more engaging. Timebox and Save Changes were my favorite stories in the collection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Classism, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Chronic illness, and Gun violence
Minor: Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Cursing
maryellen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Confinement, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Police brutality, and Misogyny
cranedphoenix's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honestly this is thee best book I've read this year so far! I didn't know it was coming out until I saw it randomly on the internet and had to go out and get it and I do not regret the cost at all
I'm also surprised (in a good way) in the little ways some of the stories were connected
Honestly the book is also inspiring for me to complete my own writing so thanks for that
I'm also surprised (in a good way) in the little ways some of the stories were connected
Honestly the book is also inspiring for me to complete my own writing so thanks for that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Racism, and Drug use
Minor: Chronic illness and Violence
queer_bookwyrm's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: racism, homophobia, enbyphobia, border wall/deportation mention, death of a parent, anxiety/panic attacks, police raid
"Can't build nothing if you can't feel nothing. Community comes from feeling and feeling goes hand in hand with creation."
"Who we are and what we feel can't be too much. Might feel like it sometimes, but it isn't true."
The Memory Librarian and Other Stories of Dirty Computer is Janelle Monáe's debut novel in collaboration with Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, Eve L. Ewing, Yohanca Delgado, and Sheree Renée Thomas. A singer/songwriter, fashion icon, producer, actress, and now an author, Janelle Monáe is a powerhouse and my hero.
Each of these stories expands the universe of Monáe's 2018 Concept album and Emotion Picture, Dirty Computer. First of all, go listen to that album or watch the Emotion Picture on YouTube, it sets the stage for what New Dawn is and what it has done to the citizens under their care. Monáe uses New Dawn as an allegory for government control, Christian "family values"/purity, homophobia, and anti-blackness.
In this world those who do not conform to what New Dawn considers "clean," people are taken and considered dirty computers, and have their memories erased. Monáe explores the idea of who are we without the memories that made us who we are? We get concepts about autonomy and choice, and the importance of fighting back even in small ways. Monáe also explores concepts around time and how it is tied to capitalism and posits, what if time could be shared as an equitable resource? They also explore community in different forms and the importance of those spaces for women and nonbinary folk. She reminds us that in order to make a better future, we must first be able to dream it.
With Monáe herself being queer and nonbinary, this book is full of queer characters of color. It's so nice to see queer people envisioned in the future and making it something better, something peaceful, something beautiful. Each author expertly captured Monáe's voice, as it almost felt as if I could her their voice as I was reading. The writing itself was nothing short of lyrical, and some parts even felt musical like her songs. I'm going to be raving about this book for the rest of my life. Thank you Janelle Monáe for making queer enbies of color feel seen and included.
"Can't build nothing if you can't feel nothing. Community comes from feeling and feeling goes hand in hand with creation."
"Who we are and what we feel can't be too much. Might feel like it sometimes, but it isn't true."
The Memory Librarian and Other Stories of Dirty Computer is Janelle Monáe's debut novel in collaboration with Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, Eve L. Ewing, Yohanca Delgado, and Sheree Renée Thomas. A singer/songwriter, fashion icon, producer, actress, and now an author, Janelle Monáe is a powerhouse and my hero.
Each of these stories expands the universe of Monáe's 2018 Concept album and Emotion Picture, Dirty Computer. First of all, go listen to that album or watch the Emotion Picture on YouTube, it sets the stage for what New Dawn is and what it has done to the citizens under their care. Monáe uses New Dawn as an allegory for government control, Christian "family values"/purity, homophobia, and anti-blackness.
In this world those who do not conform to what New Dawn considers "clean," people are taken and considered dirty computers, and have their memories erased. Monáe explores the idea of who are we without the memories that made us who we are? We get concepts about autonomy and choice, and the importance of fighting back even in small ways. Monáe also explores concepts around time and how it is tied to capitalism and posits, what if time could be shared as an equitable resource? They also explore community in different forms and the importance of those spaces for women and nonbinary folk. She reminds us that in order to make a better future, we must first be able to dream it.
With Monáe herself being queer and nonbinary, this book is full of queer characters of color. It's so nice to see queer people envisioned in the future and making it something better, something peaceful, something beautiful. Each author expertly captured Monáe's voice, as it almost felt as if I could her their voice as I was reading. The writing itself was nothing short of lyrical, and some parts even felt musical like her songs. I'm going to be raving about this book for the rest of my life. Thank you Janelle Monáe for making queer enbies of color feel seen and included.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Police brutality, and Racism
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