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In the Dream House
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
A revolutionary memoir about domestic abuse by the award-winning author of Her Body and Other Parties. In the Dream House is Carmen Maria Machado's engrossing and wildly innovative account of a relationship gone bad, and a bold dissection of the mechanisms and cultural represetations of psychological abuse. Tracing the full arc of a harrowing relationship with a charismatic but volatile woman, Machado struggles to make sense of how what happened to her shaped the person she was becoming. And it's that struggle that gives the book its original structure: each chapter is driven by its own narrative trope--haunted houses, erotica, bildungsroman--in which Machado holds the events up to the light and examines them from different angles. She looks back at her religious adolescence, unpacks the stereotype of lesbian relationships as safe and utopian, and widens the view with essayistic explorations about the history and reality of abuse in queer relationships. Machado's dire narrative is leavened with her characteristic wit, playfulness, and openness to inquiry. She casts a critical eye over legal proceedings, Star Trek and Disney villains, fairy tales, as well as iconic works of film and fiction. The result is a wrenching, riveting book that explodes our ideas about what a memoir can do and be.
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review
Jilly6183
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

This was the most unique, brilliant memoir I have ever read. I‘m not really a memoir person (I didn‘t realize it was a memoir when I bought it), but Machado is such a gifted writer. Her collection of short stories, Her Body and Other Parties, was the first book I posted about on Litsy and I remember similarly being blown away by her sheer talent after reading that. Highly recommend.

SamAnne Agree this is a brilliant memoir. I can‘t wait to see what she writes next. 3mo
Jilly6183 @SamAnne same! She is such a unique but accessible voice 3mo
35 likes2 comments
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MeganLindell
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

8 likes1 stack add
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Larkken
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

I decided at the start of this year to read slower and to savor books more. And success! Halfway through January and here is all that I‘ve finished- much fewer than this time last year 😉 fav so far is tagged…
However, I am reminded of why I was a little more amped up in pace when I realized I also have 7 other books in progress and most of those are back on library hold 🤦🏻‍♀️

IndoorDame Way to go! I made a read slower resolution as well, but I think I‘m failing at mine. Still having a good reading month though, so I guess that‘s what counts. 4mo
SamAnne Great selection. 4mo
28 likes2 comments
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TheLibrarian
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Wow. Just wow. This was powerful and I applaud Carmen Maria Machado for writing this harrowing memoir about queer domestic abuse.

Reggie I love her chapter about the queer villain. And just that each chapter is written in a different style. 5mo
TheLibrarian @Reggie It was beautifully written and I normally don‘t do non-fiction. 5mo
72 likes2 comments
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MidnightBookGirl
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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This is beautiful and sad, gorgeously written and a devastating look at an abusive relationship. Can‘t wait to discuss this tomorrow night at book club!

49 likes1 stack add
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Eggbeater
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Carmen Maria Machdo is brave for putting her story of queer domestic abuse out there for the world to read, and brave for bringing the subject into the light. It took me a minute to understand her writing style, but once I got accustomed to it, I really felt transported into her life.

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Avanders
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Ok as promised, though a little late, my “review” of the tagged. Loved it. The fragmented, 2nd person (mostly), experimental book packs a powerful punch, and never felt kitch to me, or cheesy, or anything other than impressive. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (tw‘s though)

Also read The Christie Curse #LMPBC #groupM and realllly enjoyed it!! Will definitely read more! 🌝

And with that, finished my Goodreads goal! 💃🏽💃🏽

And just a little note to summer 😡😜

Avanders (Note to summer found on Facebook 🤓) 9mo
Deblovestoread Well done! 9mo
Mollyanna Woohoo! Nicely done. 9mo
julieclair I think I'm up next for The Christie Curse! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍😀 9mo
Avanders @Deblovestoread @Mollyanna thanks!! 😘😘 @julieclair yep - trying to package it and send tomorrow!! 💌♥️ 9mo
64 likes5 comments
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Gissy
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Read first week of August-mixed feelings with this memoir. I liked the writing style but I don‘t know, sometimes was confused for a memoir: sometimes was written in second person, sometimes first person. Sometimes narrated in this beautiful style but then sometimes it was more informative about data and facts, which I found so interesting. I loved that metaphor to use the concept of a house to explain her life/relationships 3.5/3.8⭐️

Gissy One of the last 2 books to be read for Orilius Magical Readathon (Spring Equinox) Career-Healer
Class-Inscription=Glyph strength =intimidated read-nonfiction are always intimated

August 2022 #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaOfBooks

#2022ReadinGoals read more nonfiction books-a memoir
(edited) 10mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 10mo
45 likes2 comments
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Anya91
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado

“Fear makes liars of us all.”

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Anya91
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Happy Thursday 😌

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Nalbuque
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Whoa this was wild. There were moments of laughter but like…maybe nervous laughter? It was good. Really good. But also really heavy. I loved the bits of trivia and random information in there, and felt crushed by the experiences and themes so openly described and discussed. Beautifully written.

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NikkiKey94
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

I did not expect to like this book because I don‘t normally read nonfiction. However since it was a selection of the Literati Book Club last year I decided to go ahead and read it and I was surprised because I really liked it. This is a memoir and I loved the format and the writing style. This book definitely gave the reader an inside look at a toxic abusive relationship which unfortunately is relatable to many people.

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HeathHof
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

"I cannot help but marvel at the singular damage of this dark idea: That my existence as a child was a kind of debt and nothing, no matter how small, was mine."

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sparky89
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado

"Fear makes liars of us all."

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britt_brooke
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Machado is an obviously talented writer, but oof, this style. It came off as gimmicky and I didn‘t care for it. It‘s not the subject matter, it‘s the pretension that seeps from the writing itself. An utterly taxing experience; perhaps a metaphor for her relationship with that awful woman. The pop culture references as evidence were brilliant, however.

Cinfhen I read this last year but all I remember now is THAT AWFUL WOMAN 😬 (edited) 1y
Cinfhen Hey, I know someone has a birthday tomorrow!! Sending bday wishes to your little dude, who‘s probably not so little anymore. My baby girl turns 29 🙀🙀🙀 1y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Aw, thank you!! My baby boy is turning 8. 😭 And he‘s HUGE. He will pass me by the time he‘s 12 if not sooner. Already comes to just above my shoulder and I‘m not super short (5‘6”). Happy birthday to your daughter, too!!❣️❣️❣️ 1y
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Cinfhen OMG!!! That‘s crazzzy at 8! The good thing is he‘ll be able to ride the “Big Boy” rides 😁He‘ll have no problem clearing the height required 😂 1y
vivastory I haven't read this one so I don't have an opinion, but I did want to read the following which I think you'd dig. It's unusual & a bit creepy 1y
vivastory *recommend the following 1y
britt_brooke @vivastory I definitely want to try her again, so thank you! #stacked 1y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen LOL, that‘s for sure! 1y
bio_chem06 So many people were excited about this book but many had the same feelings. I haven‘t pushed myself to read it due to this. 1y
87 likes1 stack add9 comments
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JessTedrick
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

I put this book off for awhile, needing the right head space for it.
I wasn‘t a huge fan of the execution, the experiment, but I understand why she did it this way. In relationships like the one Machado had, there is no way to look straight at it without sounding cliche or dramatic.
Ironically, I‘ve tried to use a house to explain the same thing.
If you need to feel seen, understood, read this.

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staci.reads
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

I wish I had the words you write a review that encompasses the revolutionary quality of this book. The form and structure are unlike anything I've read, and it packs such an emotional punch. @Liz_M thank you for including this on your #NewYearWhoDis list. I may have never picked it up otherwise. @monalyisha

monalyisha Wow! 😍 1y
Liz_M I'm so happy you enjoyed it! I LOVED "Dream House as Choose Your Own Adventure". I hope you are feeling better and get out of quarantine soon (if not already). 1y
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merelybookish
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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I recommend memoirs most often, and these are my go-tos:
In the Dreamhouse
Priestdaddy
Heavy
I recommend fiction less but a few novels I have suggested:
Normal People
Fleischman is in Trouble
American Wife
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Brown Girl Dreaming
Thanks for the tag @TheLudicReader 🙂
#sundaysoapbox @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Nebklvr Brown Girl Dreaming🥰 1y
merelybookish @Nebklvr Such a beautiful book! 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 📚🙌🏻 1y
67 likes3 comments
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sprainedbrain
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

An excellent memoir about an abusive relationship… as expected, it‘s dark and upsetting, but it‘s also very hopeful and Machado‘s wonderful writing, together with the inventive way she tells her story, made it a great read.

I thought it was brilliant on audio, read by the author, but I did have to speed it up… her delivery was really slow at regular speed.

My second winner from @Amandajoy and her fab #NYWD22 list.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nikki_E I almost picked this as one of my top 12. 1y
Liz_M Wait, audio? How did she handle my favorite chapter Dream House as Choose Your Own Adventure!? 1y
monalyisha I need to read this soon. This match is going swimmingly! 🏊‍♀️ 1y
100 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Bibliophibifemme
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

I don't know what to say about this book other than it came at the right time for me and I think I will re-visit it again and again and again.

BarbaraBB Wonderful review of a great book! 1y
6 likes1 comment
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Bibliophibifemme
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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When you know by page 15 that a book will break you.

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Auntynanny
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

This book was very disturbing much of the time, but it was so good! It is a chilling story of domestic violence.

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Lauren890
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I listened to this on audio. It took a little time to get used the the author‘s cadence (I sped it up a little) but once I did I hardly thought about it. Her use of second person was really effective. Partner abuse is a tough subject and I think this is an important read. I really want to read her short story collection!

SamAnne So good! 2y
20 likes1 comment
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Bookdragon217
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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"Sometimes your tongue is removed, sometimes you still it of your own accord. Sometimes you live, sometimes you die. Sometimes you have a name, sometimes you are named for what-not who-you are. The story looks a little different, depending on who is telling it.....But the truth is, anyone who knows your name can break you in two."

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JenReadsAlot
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Difficult yet really well done memoir. @TheAromaofBooks #bookspinbingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
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vlwelser
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

I kind of loved this. The subject is obviously very serious, partner abuse within same sex female relationships, but the author is so honest. And the writing is beautiful.

JenReadsAlot I'll be finishing this book today and agree with you! 2y
SamAnne I thought this memoir was phenomenal. I can‘t wait to see what she writes next. 2y
vlwelser @JenReadsAlot and @SamAnne have either of you read her other book? I assume it's just as awesome. 2y
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JenReadsAlot I have not. 2y
SamAnne @vlwelser I have read her short story collection. Like most collections it is a mixed bag. A couple are great and some are so-so. I felt like with In the Dreamhouse she really came into her own. 2y
vlwelser @SamAnne I'm torn between adding it or just waiting for her next thing. You may have tipped me toward waiting. 2y
SamAnne @vlwelser maybe you can get it from the library and just read the stories you want…. 2y
vlwelser @SamAnne I almost always get things from the library. I'd be a poor person otherwise. 😂 2y
41 likes8 comments
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paisleyjess
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

TW abuse
While heavy in subject matter, this book has levity in its deconstructed approach to story telling. The author plays with how the events would be told in various genres and settings.

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Spons100
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
Pickpick

Immersive read without tons of description. I enjoyed the “each chapter is a new thing” set up a lot. Important topic, and I appreciate how producing art like this would be cathartic for someone who experienced a relationship like that.

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JackieGreco
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
Pickpick

This was an eye opening book. I had never thought about abuse in same sex relationships and I think this was important for me to think about. I also really liked the writing style of Machado. It was poetic and clear.

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BarbaraBB
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

The Dream House is all but a dream house. It is used as a metaphor to describe the toxic relationship between Carmen Maria Machado and an ex-girlfriend. The Dream House is a construction that enables the author to tell her story. It‘s such an inventive form of storytelling, I was deeply impressed, both by form and the painful content. Machado maken perfectly clear how hard is it to escape from an abusive relationship.

TrishB I love your footie background 😁 2y
Liz_M Yes! 2y
BarbaraBB @TrishB My daughter made a “man cave” for Euro 2020 😂 ⚽️ (edited) 2y
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AceOnRoam Loved this book ❤ 2y
sarahbarnes Yes, great review! I loved this book. ❤️ 2y
TrishB Perfect 😁 Netherlands missing VVD like we did! 2y
SamAnne So good and one I plan to reread. 2y
BarbaraBB @TrishB We certainly do! 2y
Megabooks Fantastic review!! 2y
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Thank You 😊 2y
Reggie Did you go watch Voices Carry on YouTube while reading this? 2y
BarbaraBB No! But I did listen to it. I will watch it right now! @Reggie (edited) 2y
77 likes12 comments
blurb
BarbaraBB
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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#WeeklyForecast 24/21

This should do the job! An easy graphic novel for #Booked2021 and #ReadingAsia2021, the Arabian travel book, this month‘s #NYRBBookClub choice and the tagged one by a favorite author! 🤞🏽

Cinfhen It does look like a PROMISING reading week 💓💓💓💓I‘ve read 3/4 and I‘m pretty sure you‘re gonna like all 3 🤞🏼🤞🏼 2y
67 likes1 comment
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Kenyazero
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Bailedbailed

I'm only 40 minutes into the audio book, but I'm not enjoying it at all so far. I'm not following along on the random tangents the narration seems to be going down. It probably doesn't help that the author sounds like she's bored at a poetry open mic night as she reads this book... 😅

SamAnne Hmmm....this is a book that I can‘t imagine working on audio. There is no way I could have followed it.I loved the print version. 2y
Kenyazero @SamAnne @KatieDid927 good to know! I'll consider giving this one another shot in a physical format. 2y
20 likes3 comments
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Roary47
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Mehso-so

3✨ The writing in this memoir is excellent. I learned a lot of new words and the poetic style she used was keeping me going. There is emotional abuse in this that was hard to read. It was also backed by other articles, fairytales, and interesting analogies. Read for #LMPBC #GroupV

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Rachiiebookdragon
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
Pickpick

This is a fantastic audiobook by the author herself, hopefully I have got the pronouns right, did have a google 😊 What an insightful and interesting read. Read for #WhateverYouWantathon and for #ReadHarderChallenge2021 😊 4/5

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Karkar
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Wow. That was one powerful gut punch of a book. This was a really interesting way to do a memoir. Several trigger warnings that can be gleaned from the description.

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keithlafo
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

“Abusers do not need to be, and rarely are, cackling maniacs. They just need to want something and not care how they get it.”

What an emotional and unforgettable read. #memoir

Andrea4 💯 2y
13 likes1 comment
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keithlafo
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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#Saturday morning.

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keithlafo
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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The writing in this book is beautiful, even if the subject matter is grave.

Nute Welcome to Litsy! It‘s a warm and friendly community. I know that you will enjoy yourself here. I‘m looking forward to getting to know you!🙂 2y
12 likes1 comment
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Bookwormjillk
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

I‘ve never read a book like this and am grateful to my #LMPBC group for introducing me to this author. She tells a story about domestic abuse in a way that it completely unique. I‘ll admit I skipped some sleep last night because once I started I had to keep reading until I knew what happened.

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rjsthumbelina
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Updating my #nonfiction2021 bingo board. Honestly, doing better than I expected!

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rjsthumbelina
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

This book was odd and wonderful. The sections are short, which always keeps me engaged. Each section is titled after a trope, some of which I had to look up. Parts of this book felt like work to understand, which is much different from what I expect from a memoir about an abusive relationship between 2 women. But not different in a bad way. Unique and memorable.
Read for #LMPBC #groupv #memoirs

rjsthumbelina @Bookwormjillk this should get to you via UPS by Wednesday @Roary47 @ImperfectCJ @suvata 2y
Bookwormjillk Sounds good! 2y
34 likes2 comments
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SkeletonKey
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Late night reading because I cannot sleep.

ShyBookOwl Story of my life lol! 2y
SkeletonKey @ShyBookOwl - Damn insomnia! 2y
39 likes2 comments
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Abailliekaras
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Incredible. I loved reading this queer memoir of domestic abuse (as strange as that is to say). Machado is erudite, intelligent & honest about her experience & writes with humour. I loved the structure, different ways into the problem but still a chronological narrative. A forensic look at abuse in lesbian relationships & the barriers to discussing it. A perfectly judged mix of her story - with precise vignettes - & historic /literary references.

SamAnne So good. 2y
Megabooks Great review! 2y
Reggie I love the book so much which is why it made me angry that it‘s being challenged in some Texas school district as in appropriate. Whatever. But it‘s so brilliant. 2y
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Abailliekaras @Megabooks thank you ☺️ 2y
Abailliekaras @Reggie I didn‘t know that. It would be so good for high school students to read - and so much to discuss in class. 🙏🏼 2y
41 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Sydneypaige
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

A book that demands you to be present, to witness, to feel.

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Liz_M
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

This really worked for me, even more than her short stories. A series of vignettes, each titled “The Dream House as….” Each one is a different take on an aspect of an abusive relationship. A specific moment, a memory, a mood. Throughout there is a reflection on how her story is both singular and universal. While a couple of chapters were too academic, many of the rest displayed a wry humor that I loved and Choose Your Own Adventure was brilliant.

Liz_M Apropos of nothing, pictured is one of my favorite houses on Summit Avenue in St. Paul.

4.5⭐ @TheAromaofBooks this is my March #DoubleSpin.
(edited) 2y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 2y
Tamra So many great houses in TC - I feel so badly for the ones in disrepair, so much character! But, I also lived in one for 16 years and they require effort and money. Lots of “fresh” air circulated in it.😉 2y
See All 10 Comments
Leftcoastzen Wow, love that house! 2y
BarbaraBB Fab review. I am now even more looking forward to it! 2y
Liz_M @Tamra Yep! My mom lives a few blocks north of Summit Ave and has a second mortgage to pay for repairs and upkeep on her 1920s craftsman house 😉 2y
Liz_M @BarbaraBB I hope you enjoy it! 2y
Liz_M @Leftcoastzen All of Summit Ave has some spectacular houses. A beautiful street! (edited) 2y
Suet624 Lovely house! 2y
30 likes10 comments
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Liz_M
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Did I need to map out all the options on the "Choose your own adventure" part of this book? Why yes, yes I did.

BarbaraBB I love this. And still need to read it 2y
Liz_M @BarbaraBB I think I liked it more than her short story collection, because I apparently really enjoy creative nonfiction. I also liked "Why be happy when you could be normal" more than "Oranges are not the only fruit". 2y
33 likes1 stack add2 comments
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dearb00kshelves
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

Apart from Alison Bechdel‘s graphic novel memoir, Fun Home, this is the best and most unique memoir I‘ve ever read. While the subject matter is difficult to read about, I found myself wanting to know how the story would be told in the next chapter. Very close to the beginning of the book, Machado discusses archives and who decides what gets remembered and how it is remembered. This discussion is then tied to abuse in queer relationships... cont IG

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paulareadsallthetime
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Panpan

⭐️⭐️ I just could not get into this book. I gave it 2 stars because I did like a couple of things that she said. But, overall it was a dud for me. It is the story of a woman who is abused by her female lover. I just did not enjoy the way it was written.

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ImperfectCJ
In the Dream House: A Memoir | Carmen Maria Machado
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Pickpick

This is a "pick" for me as a memoir and "so-so" as a book overall. It's creative in that self-conscious, Iowa Writers' Workshop way. As the author herself notes, it is not a unique story, and I wonder why she still feels compelled to tell it seven years after the fact. Not a criticism, just a curiosity. Personally, I stopped telling my story after about a year, although I still think about it often; 25 years and it still doesn't make sense.

ImperfectCJ This is my first #lmpbc round. Do I just mail the book to the person who's on the list after me, which is you, @rjsthumbelina ? 2y
Roary47 Wow, I‘m intrigued. Yes, you would pass it to the next person. I normally like to include a little note and the first time I have stuff to share with the group, but that‘s completely optional. I‘ve done postcards, Mexican candy, and bookmarks. 2y
Roary47 Side note it made it to me unmelted. Thank you for the goodies. 💛 2y
ImperfectCJ @Roary47 Excellent! I meant to post when I sent the packages out, but as you might have noticed, that didn't happen. Glad it got there okay even without the advance notice. :-) 2y
62 likes1 stack add4 comments