Carmen Maria Machado

5 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"In the Dream House" by Carmen Maria Machado

“We can’t stop living. Which means we have to live, which means we are alive, which means we are humans and we are human.”

This was a heart-wrenching and thought-provoking memoir that explores the author's experience of being in an abusive relationship with another woman. Through a series of short chapters that blend genres, such as memoir, literary criticism, and folklore, Machado examines the complexities of domestic abuse in same-sex relationships.

The book is structured around different types of abuse, such as gaslighting, physical violence, and emotional manipulation, and the author's struggle to come to terms with the reality of what was happening to her. Machado's writing is both poetic and raw, and she does an excellent job of conveying the fear, confusion, and isolation that often accompanies abuse.

Throughout the book, Machado also weaves in discussions of pop culture and literature, using these as a lens through which to examine societal attitudes towards abuse.

This is a powerful and necessary work that sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of domestic violence.… (mer)

What a mixed bag of gems and pebbles this was! I had looked forward to diving into this anthology, especially with John Joseph Adams and Carmen Maria Machado at the editorial helm. And for the most part, it didn't disappoint. The stories were diverse, ranging from the strange and poetic to the utterly bizarre.

Let's talk about the standouts. "Six Hangings in the Land of Unkillable Women" by Theodore McCombs stuck with me long after I finished it. Then there was "Dead Air" by Nino Cipri, which was a fascinating dive into the complexities of human relationships, all wrapped up in a modern, tech-savvy package. But the crown jewel for me was "Nine Last Days on Planet Earth" by Daryl Gregory. This story spanned the entire life of its main character, from boyhood to old age, against the backdrop of an Earth slowly being overtaken by alien plants. The narrative wove together the protagonist's personal life—his marriage, kids, and grandkids—with this larger, almost apocalyptic, struggle. It was like watching a life unfold in fast-forward, with the stakes getting higher and higher. Just brilliant.

But not every story hit the mark for me. Some felt a bit too long, like they overstayed their welcome. And there were a few that I just couldn't connect with. Still, even the stories that weren't my cup of tea were interesting in their own right. They gave me a glimpse into what kinds of narratives different authors, coming from various backgrounds, chose to tell.

One of the best things about this anthology was discovering authors I hadn't read before. I've already added a few to my "must-read-more-of" list. So, while the collection had its highs and lows, it was definitely worth the read. It's not a perfect anthology, but it's one that has expanded my literary horizons, and for that, I'm grateful.… (mer)

Having read (and enjoyed) Machado's short story collection, I'm not sure why I so strongly expected to not enjoy this -- probably because it's received so much praise, and I am a filthy snob. But I'm pleased to report that this is, in fact, as good as everyone says it is. Given the subject matter, it should go without saying that reading it is quite moving, but Machado's writing is also, I think, moving on its own, above and beyond the pathos inherent in writing a memoir about an abusive relationship. Also beautiful, in terms of the prose; also inventive, in terms of the structure. Sufficiently gripping that, even over audio, I don't think I missed anything -- but also sufficiently gripping that, unlike other audiobooks I've listened to, it resists double-tasking. It took my full attention.… (mer)