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dressedupbanana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
3.25
thebrookie9's review against another edition
4.0
Really informative memoir about ocd. It’s not often that ocd is accurately portrayed in the media and it felt so important to read someone else’s experience of learning that they have ocd and the struggle of getting helpful treatment. Definitely made me feel seen, understood, and not alone.
amonkhouse's review against another edition
4.0
It didn't quite hit 5 for me because some of the language was a bit cringey and the end was overly long, but I loved this and read it in one go.
ranniewhitlock's review against another edition
3.0
I started this after watching the tv show that it’s based on, which I loved so much for being one of the only accurate portrayals of OCD in the media. I was so excited to read this, and expected to devour it in a few days, but halfway through, I ended up putting it aside for several months.
The show left me in tears multiple times for how absolutely real it felt, and the relief that something like it exists in the world as a piece of art. Even after being diagnosed for several years, the show opened up several new conversations and ways to help my husband understand what it’s like in my head all the time. So I expected the book to be similar - maybe even something I could give to my parents to read (something a little tamer than the necessary but still graphic show.)
But there’s a distance in the book that I can’t quite figure out. We get lots of detail of Rose’s thoughts, and the way it affected her, but it still feels a little bit…intellectualized, maybe? The time skips (which I usually don’t mind) didn’t seem to serve the story as much as everything being laid out chronologically would have, since it requires a lot of knowledge/remember of Rose’s personal history. Overall, I found the show more relatable, and easier to use as a conversation starter, and I’m usually a book person all the way.
All in all, I’m so grateful for Rose, for the work she does, and for her bravery in sharing her story. And the show wouldn’t exist without this book. So any personal nitpicks aside, I’m glad I read this, and I’m so glad it exists.
The show left me in tears multiple times for how absolutely real it felt, and the relief that something like it exists in the world as a piece of art. Even after being diagnosed for several years, the show opened up several new conversations and ways to help my husband understand what it’s like in my head all the time. So I expected the book to be similar - maybe even something I could give to my parents to read (something a little tamer than the necessary but still graphic show.)
But there’s a distance in the book that I can’t quite figure out. We get lots of detail of Rose’s thoughts, and the way it affected her, but it still feels a little bit…intellectualized, maybe? The time skips (which I usually don’t mind) didn’t seem to serve the story as much as everything being laid out chronologically would have, since it requires a lot of knowledge/remember of Rose’s personal history. Overall, I found the show more relatable, and easier to use as a conversation starter, and I’m usually a book person all the way.
All in all, I’m so grateful for Rose, for the work she does, and for her bravery in sharing her story. And the show wouldn’t exist without this book. So any personal nitpicks aside, I’m glad I read this, and I’m so glad it exists.
cass_ward's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most truthful, courageous, and endearing representations of OCD. My own healing began with this book. What a difference this type of literature makes.
laurrecommends's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
neenor's review against another edition
5.0
Four stars for the book itself, five stars because of what it means.
I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and I’ve had it since I was 10 years old. In some ways I’m lucky, because I got diagnosed and treated early, and a lot of my obsessions and compulsions are the ones commonly talked about (contamination, checking, etc.). Obsessions that aren’t so well known are the intrusive thoughts, which can often be of a violent, harmful, or sexual nature. Having these thoughts doesn’t make the person dangerous - it’s just excessive doubt and fear of the worst, which obviously causes great anxiety. Because these topics are perceived as taboo, people don’t really talk about them - and that means that when someone with OCD gets these thoughts, they don’t want to tell anyone for fear that they will be labelled as violent or a pervert or a paedophile (which they are not). Treatment is widely available and can be really helpful, but because of these fears individuals will avoid seeking help, leading to obsessions and compulsions getting worse and their quality of life rapidly deteriorating.
This needs to stop, and Pure is a step towards that change. Rose is so open about her experiences with ‘Pure O’ (OCD that commonly manifests with intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions, making it seem as if the person isn’t doing compulsions when they actually are), and I think it is fantastic that Channel 4 are turning it into a series. This message needs to get out there, and I really hope that as more people learn about this story, there will be greater awareness and acceptance of OCD, leading more individuals feeling able to safely seek help.
I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and I’ve had it since I was 10 years old. In some ways I’m lucky, because I got diagnosed and treated early, and a lot of my obsessions and compulsions are the ones commonly talked about (contamination, checking, etc.). Obsessions that aren’t so well known are the intrusive thoughts, which can often be of a violent, harmful, or sexual nature. Having these thoughts doesn’t make the person dangerous - it’s just excessive doubt and fear of the worst, which obviously causes great anxiety. Because these topics are perceived as taboo, people don’t really talk about them - and that means that when someone with OCD gets these thoughts, they don’t want to tell anyone for fear that they will be labelled as violent or a pervert or a paedophile (which they are not). Treatment is widely available and can be really helpful, but because of these fears individuals will avoid seeking help, leading to obsessions and compulsions getting worse and their quality of life rapidly deteriorating.
This needs to stop, and Pure is a step towards that change. Rose is so open about her experiences with ‘Pure O’ (OCD that commonly manifests with intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions, making it seem as if the person isn’t doing compulsions when they actually are), and I think it is fantastic that Channel 4 are turning it into a series. This message needs to get out there, and I really hope that as more people learn about this story, there will be greater awareness and acceptance of OCD, leading more individuals feeling able to safely seek help.