Academic yet informative. This book serves firstly as a biography of five women behind Wages for Housework (a radical campaign launched in the 1970's)Academic yet informative. This book serves firstly as a biography of five women behind Wages for Housework (a radical campaign launched in the 1970's) and secondly as an introduction to the political goals of the movement....more
A sweet memoir that explores how one woman’s relationship with cats transformed her life.
“I loved cats but I had never loved cats like this: at theirA sweet memoir that explores how one woman’s relationship with cats transformed her life.
“I loved cats but I had never loved cats like this: at their wildest, their most brutal, the way nature had overtaken them and left only suffering, only starvation and death.”*
Courtney Gustafson moved into a rental house in the Poets Square neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, unaware that the house was the stomping grounds of 30 feral cats. While she at first kept her distance, hesitant to break the rules of her lease, she eventually succumbed to the pleading eyes of the starving, malnourished cats and opened her heart to them.
Gustafson soon found herself intrenched in animal rescue work that extended well beyond her home. With brutal honesty and insightful compassion, she shares how her work saving feral cats overlapped with her work at a food bank and within her local community, where she saw humans suffering in equal measure. She reflects briefly on humanity’s willingness to help animals in need and their staunch unwillingness to show that same compassion for other people.
Each chapter oscillates between Gustafson’s experience with a particular group of cats and how it relates to an experience in her past, this ranges from an abusive relationship and body-image struggles to her experience striving for her PhD and achieving financial security via sharing the cats on Instagram and TikTok.
I appreciate that Gustafson limited the saddest stories about the cats to one chapter and gives us a warning by titling it “In This One the Cats Don’t Survive.” My favorite aspect of the novel is the revelations Gustafson makes about her encounters with men while working in animal rescue and their absolutely appalling behavior.
Don’t pick this up if you only want to read about cats. Do pick this up if you enjoy heartfelt stories of overcoming hardship by connecting with animals and one’s community.
*Note: Quote taken from an advanced reading copy and is subject to change at publication....more
The River's Daughter is a touching memoir about overcoming abuse and ending the cycle of generational trauma.
A considerable portion of the book is deThe River's Daughter is a touching memoir about overcoming abuse and ending the cycle of generational trauma.
A considerable portion of the book is dedicated to Crocker's career guiding rivers, so if white water rafting interests you (and your heart can handle stories of childhood abuse and SA) then this is the book for you....more
I nearly DNFd after the first chapter, but the more time I spent with this book—exploring Chihaya's musings on books that wake you, challenge you, or I nearly DNFd after the first chapter, but the more time I spent with this book—exploring Chihaya's musings on books that wake you, challenge you, or devastate and shape you—the more I liked it.
Sadly, the final chapters failed to satiate a need for resolution, as Chihaya proves unfailingly pessimistic to the end. (Extended thoughts below) ...more
Not as emotionally compelling as Cumming's Women's Prize nominated Thunderclap, but this is nonetheless a fascinating read brimming with mystery and gNot as emotionally compelling as Cumming's Women's Prize nominated Thunderclap, but this is nonetheless a fascinating read brimming with mystery and gorgeous descriptions of famous paintings. ...more
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