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A review by readwithrhys
Inverse Cowgirl: A Memoir by Alicia Roth Weigel
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
I really wish this was better. There's not many memoirs out there from intersex people, and so when my hold on this came in, I was excited. But... was quickly let down. There's so much to talk about with this book.
1) the writing. This felt so much more like a blog post than a book. And not in a good way. Some writing felt like you would talk to a friend. In a book, especially a memoir, I don't want to feel like I'm talking to a friend. I pick up your book because I want to read about your life, your hardships, the challenges you have overcome to be the person you are today. Not like I'm reading a text you sent me.
2) I felt like there was so much filler information that we didn't need, or like other reviews have pointed out, felt like we were reading Weigel's resume/cover letter. I don't need paragraphs about every job you've had. That's for a resume...
3) this also felt sort of preachy. Like there would be no room for discussions regarding white privilege. This book also felt like white feminism in a nutshell at points.
and finally, I want to point out one specific quote. From the chapter titled "Poem", there is this quote:
"Rather than viewing myself as a "crazy," though, I'd posit that those of us who are bipolar are merely different, and misunderstood. Like how Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter books had to shroud his identity as a werewolf in secrecy to escape shame and stigma but was still one of the best professors our favorite Gryffindor trio ever had. (Note to trigger-happy cancel culturalists: a reference to Harry Potter is *not* an endorsement of J.K. Rowling.)"
I'm sorry? Are you seriously referencing HP and JKR in 2023, when this book was published???? Have you not seen the fucking news? Even in September 2023, it is VERY obvious JKR is a transphobic POS. And you have the audacity to reference her? This entire paragraph the quote came from would've sufficed without it perfectly fine. This also felt like a full on slap to the face. There were multiple instances in the book where Weigel made it very clear she is all for Trans Rights are Human Rights, and then for this to show up? No, you lost me there.
2 stars. Do NOT recommend.
1) the writing. This felt so much more like a blog post than a book. And not in a good way. Some writing felt like you would talk to a friend. In a book, especially a memoir, I don't want to feel like I'm talking to a friend. I pick up your book because I want to read about your life, your hardships, the challenges you have overcome to be the person you are today. Not like I'm reading a text you sent me.
2) I felt like there was so much filler information that we didn't need, or like other reviews have pointed out, felt like we were reading Weigel's resume/cover letter. I don't need paragraphs about every job you've had. That's for a resume...
3) this also felt sort of preachy. Like there would be no room for discussions regarding white privilege. This book also felt like white feminism in a nutshell at points.
and finally, I want to point out one specific quote. From the chapter titled "Poem", there is this quote:
"Rather than viewing myself as a "crazy," though, I'd posit that those of us who are bipolar are merely different, and misunderstood. Like how Professor Lupin in the Harry Potter books had to shroud his identity as a werewolf in secrecy to escape shame and stigma but was still one of the best professors our favorite Gryffindor trio ever had. (Note to trigger-happy cancel culturalists: a reference to Harry Potter is *not* an endorsement of J.K. Rowling.)"
I'm sorry? Are you seriously referencing HP and JKR in 2023, when this book was published???? Have you not seen the fucking news? Even in September 2023, it is VERY obvious JKR is a transphobic POS. And you have the audacity to reference her? This entire paragraph the quote came from would've sufficed without it perfectly fine. This also felt like a full on slap to the face. There were multiple instances in the book where Weigel made it very clear she is all for Trans Rights are Human Rights, and then for this to show up? No, you lost me there.
2 stars. Do NOT recommend.