Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Hysterical: A Memoir by Elissa Bassist

4 reviews

katiemccreary's review

emotional slow-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexism

alexacar's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Hysterical was exceptional and must have taken forever to write. I related to so much of her story and also spend an infuriating and demoralizing period of years being misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Reading this helped me to feel validated and less alone and I really appreciated the data to back it up. One of my favorite lines: "Being socialized is almost like being gaslit into mental illness." YES. And then we get to spend the rest of our lives untangling that. This book is a public service and a must-read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Rape, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual violence

caseythereader's review

dark emotional funny informative fast-paced

3.75

Thanks to Hachette for the free advance copy of this book.

 - HYSTERICAL is a ragescream of a book. Though the synopsis talks about Bassist trying to sort out physical pain, much of the book is about the mental anguish American women experience in everyday life.
- I have some reservations about this book being taken to mean "pain is all in your head" when it comes to unsolvable illnesses. And yet, I also know the physical toll that stress and oppression can take on your body. It's a bit muddled and messy, but isn't life? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Rape, Ableism, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cancer, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

laynemandros's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Rape, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts