Reviews tagging 'Deportation'

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese

3 reviews

jayisreading's review

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

The affinity that a number of queer people have with the monstrous is one that is explored in depth in this essay collection. I was invested in what each contributor had to say about their thoughts on their queer identity in relation to a horror film of their choice, which ranged from classic slashers to non-US horror films. Furthermore, this is an incredibly diverse collection of essays, not only in terms of how queerness is defined, but many of these authors also consider their race and/or disability. The contributors’ respective reflections really revealed the complexities of how the monster has been defined by culture and society, some taking a more academic tone when discussing this, while others had a more conversational tone.

Like any edited collection, I found some essays stronger than others. Overall, though, I’d say that it’s rather difficult to call any of them weak. Well worth picking up if you’re interested in horror (and a number of these essays don’t shy away from it, fair warning) and queerness. Relatedly, I recommend picking up Queer Little Nightmares: An Anthology of Monstrous Fiction and Poetry edited by David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli, if you’re looking for more queer monstrosity.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Ableism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Racism, and Transphobia

Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Alcoholism, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pedophilia, and Suicide

mallory10100's review

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Deportation, Gaslighting, Grief, Infertility, Medical content, Pedophilia, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Biphobia, Gore, Sexual content, Body horror, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Cursing, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

toffishay's review

challenging emotional funny informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

An awesome collection. I learned a lot and felt a lot with all of these essays. As someone who isn't big on horror, I've come out on the other side with a new appreciation and a new lens. I enjoyed all of the essays, but my favorites were "Both Ways" by Carmen Maria Machado, "Indescribable" by Carrow Narby, and "The Trail of His Flames" by Tucker Lieberman.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Death, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Ableism, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, Forced institutionalization, Incest, Medical content, Outing, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Cannibalism, Classism, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Biphobia, Body horror, Bullying, Excrement, Murder, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Pedophilia, and Panic attacks/disorders