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staplerscissors's review
4.0
Candid memoir of the author's alcoholism, objectification by men, experiences of rape and violence, and healing through it by writing and drawing it. "Shame is an instrument of oppression."
thepetitepunk's review
3.0
Hmm. This sounded like something I’d really appreciate, but it was just okay. The flow was a bit disjointed and there was definitely opportunities for more.
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of august, 2023≫
╰┈➤ 1. we all want impossible things by catherine newman
╰┈➤ 2. i’d rather not: essays by robert skinner
╰┈➤ 3. fly with me by andie burke
╰┈➤ 4. commute by erin williams
✧ ✧ ✧
≪reading 31 books for 31 days of august, 2023≫
╰┈➤ 1. we all want impossible things by catherine newman
╰┈➤ 2. i’d rather not: essays by robert skinner
╰┈➤ 3. fly with me by andie burke
╰┈➤ 4. commute by erin williams
nolansmock's review
3.0
Not sure if I fully understand the sheer animosity in the reviews here (even though generally the reaction seems balanced). On one hand, yes, this is a very myopic memoir, like a lot of graphic novels. I get it. Sometimes these people have insufferable moments but it's sort of expected in the genre to me. What I really don't get, though, is why so many are reading this take on the male gaze as *her* take on what it means to be a woman. This is a critique on how men and women internalize these bad things within their interactions with one another, how by extention this toxic relationship creates a bunch of other bad vibes. The book's narrative of going through your day, recalling how all your past lovers never once were in a balanced relationship with you, how it's all borderline abuse, how it's all caked into the entire thing, this all makes sense to me. It doesn't speak to my full experience but it speaks to hers. It's a book of broken daydreams and is often sad and angry. Still, I read it in a couple hours and couldn't put it down. I fell asleep after, I stress-dreamed about my past. It's a solemn experience, reading this, not meant to be pretty, and even if it's not most intersectional narrative in the world I think it's trying to go deeper inside, not wider outside. It's a *memoir*. What harm is being done, exactly? In my view these criticisms of misogyny, fatphobia, homophobia, misandry (that last one is telling to me; I'm a man and read this, not even bothered) are only valid if damage is being done and are largely only nitpicking three lines in this book. My only real criticism is that I feel like editors and publishers give pushback on books like this, maybe suggesting things end on a positive note, after all the misery. This doesn't always feel sincere or necessary, resulting in endings meant to sum everything up, give you hope, tie it up in a bow. Life isn't like that.
carlaaaaa's review
3.0
my review reflects only my personal reading experience (how i felt while reading; how easy or hard it was to get through; whether or not i was in the right headspace for it; etc.) of this book and not necessarily the content
saritachr's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexual assault
hazelnuthaze's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Vomit
tonimmc's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Addiction
geekwayne's review
2.0
'Commute: An Illustrated Memoir of Female Shame' written and drawn by Erin Williams is about a woman going to work and the feelings she perceives in those around her.
The book spends a long time on the author's morning routine. She catalogs the various people on the bus and the things she sees. It is interspersed with stories of abuse and alcoholism.
I liked the idea of this book more than the execution. The work feels so dire and monotonous. There is probably a tighter story in here, but this one rambles too much. I did like the author's art style, though.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel ABRAMS and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The book spends a long time on the author's morning routine. She catalogs the various people on the bus and the things she sees. It is interspersed with stories of abuse and alcoholism.
I liked the idea of this book more than the execution. The work feels so dire and monotonous. There is probably a tighter story in here, but this one rambles too much. I did like the author's art style, though.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel ABRAMS and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.