Reviews

Burqa of Skin by Nelly Arcan

lifeinpoetry's review

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5.0

This is the first of the Arcan books I own that I've read. The introduction was irritating because it felt like a mea culpa for ignoring Arcan when she was alive rather than a nuanced introduction to her work. The book itself is captivating, raw — bloodily so — with the reminder that these writings on suicide, depression, gender, sex work, self-hatred, etc. are very much based on her life, which tragically ended in suicide. The Dress is the piece that I found myself quoting the most. For instance: “I never consented to this body I’ve been charged with dragging until my death—”

taryn_araksi's review

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did not finish - probably not a great idea to read if you’ve never read any of her previous books, might revisit after reading her novels

olishmou's review against another edition

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5.0

4,5.

On a toujours senti, chez Arcan, un masochisme quasi compulsif qui la fait pousser à l’extrême ses émotions, une démarche dont le but est peut-être, comme le propose Burqa de chair, « d’en extraire le sens ». Ces derniers écrits sont véritablement superbes, bien que La honte demeure le texte le plus remarquable du lot.

dismascoale's review

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

juliettee's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

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