MRM - The United States (42 books)

MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars

People in Trouble
by Sarah Schulman

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MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Brooklyn Dreams
by J.M. DeMatteis

recommended to MRM by: "Top 10 Graphic Novels" by Danny Fingeroth

read in December, 2008

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"'Moments that remain true under any classification.' That's the stuff I'm interested in."

Terrific graphic novel about a sensitive, questing Brooklynite. I will lap up anything about growing up in Brooklyn (especially if they're not the mid-century D...more

MRM rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream
by Barbara Ehrenreich

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MRM rated a book 3 of 5 stars

Nobody Passes by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore

Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity
by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (Goodreads Author)

read in December, 2008

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A mixed collection of essays. I liked the premise, how "passing" can refer to many aspects of identity (not just ethnic/racial or gender). A few of the pieces I thought were too bogged down in the authors' exhausting recountings of intricate strains...more A mixed collection of essays. I liked the premise, how "passing" can refer to many aspects of identity (not just ethnic/racial or gender). A few of the pieces I thought were too bogged down in the authors' exhausting recountings of intricate strains of identity, and I had to laugh at the two women whose dialog makes up "'And Then You Cut Your Hair'" ("When I have short hair, I use it to signify queer identity; but I find that straight people don't really pick up on that. [...:] On rare occasions, I have been asked by lesbians [...:] if I am straight. [...:] The significance of my short hair is again not always picked up on," says one. Later, the other woman says -- apparently in seriousness -- in response to the first's further complaints about people's not correctly interpreting her, "Exactly! Why should it be your job to educate people about your identity?").

But apart from that bit of silliness, most of the essays deal articulately with the authors' negotiations of their own peer groups/subcultures, as well as with the rest of society. The only essay that is not personal is "Innocent Victims and Brave New Laws" by Priya Kandaswamy, which is an informative look at the problems of racism, unnecessary criminalization, and cooptation in the battered women's/domestic violence movement (the only problem is that the remote tone did feel out of place in this book).

The pieces I found most stirring and memorable:

- "Undermining Gender Regulation" by Dean Spade
- "What I Learned from Being G Minus in the World of Homohop Commerce" by Ralowe T. Ampu (Gay Shame; "Church is apparently very important to black people. I mean, that's what I've been told. It's a chance to see other black people one would otherwise never see. People never act like themselves at church. They act like they're at church. Gay Pride felt like church.")
- "The End of Genderqueer" by Rocko Bulldagger (describes the True Spirit conferences; "Once I was introduced to a transguy at a sex party, and the very first thing he did was complain bitterly to me about how a lesbian had just hit on him, mistaking him for a dyke. [...:] Why didn't I just say what I thought? Be flattered when someone is attracted to you!")
- "Melchizedek's Three Rings" by Carole McDonnell (I too am guilty of negatively judging religious, especially Christian, people)(less)

MRM rated a book 2 of 5 stars

Bad Habits: A Love Story
by Cristy C. Road (Goodreads Author)

read in December, 2008

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Not into this repetitive, endless-seeming (at barely over 200 pages!) tale of drugs, depression, self-conscious subculture, etc. I feel bad and cranky about my reaction, but sometimes someone's difficult life just does not come out on the page well....more

MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars

The Pushcart War
by Jean Merrill

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MRM rated a book 5 of 5 stars

Tamara Drewe
by Posy Simmonds

recommended to MRM by: BPL recommended reading list

read in November, 2008

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Complex, compelling, and satisfying.

MRM rated a book 2 of 5 stars

Woman on the Edge of Time
by Marge Piercy

read in November, 2008

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I feel harsh giving this book only two stars, but since my reaction was "it was okay," two stars is accurate in the GoodReads context. (Actually, my true reaction was "it was fucking depressing," though after closing the book and reflecting, there's...more I feel harsh giving this book only two stars, but since my reaction was "it was okay," two stars is accurate in the GoodReads context. (Actually, my true reaction was "it was fucking depressing," though after closing the book and reflecting, there's of course a more nuanced reaction to be had.)

An anarchist reading group whose meetings I've been attending held a discussion of this book, which is why I picked it up in the first place. One member said that Piercy's vision of a non-hierarchical society matched his ideal society in a lot of ways, and I would have to agree.

Humanity is still human -- some conflicts are portrayed, for example -- but several issues were left unexplored, like the "criminal justice" system (if I remember correctly, Luciente et al explain that people are killed after they do something unforgivable a second time). Also, I'm not sure what I think about the way babies are born in 2137...And even in this world, there are rumblings of trouble on the horizon, with not just the ongoing war but also the philosophical split (related to genetics and human reproduction) between the Shapers and the Mixers.

One of the more plausible elements of Mattapoisett's world was the change in pronouns ("person" and "per," rather than gendered terms). Language isn't constant in general, and given that "he/she," "s/he," and non-mainstream gender-neutral pronouns like "hir" and "ze" are replacing the generic "he," real life is (slowly) becoming less patriarchal, and our words are reflecting it.

Piercy conveys the contemporary (well, late 1970s) societal surround of misogyny, racism, and classism quite literally by setting the novel mostly in a mental institution. Most of the supporting characters in the present day storyline are one-dimensional (for example, would no one at the Thanksgiving dinner with her family really have shown any sympathy for her?), and, like any utopia (or dystopia?), the plot is a vehicle for getting out Piercy's ideas of alternative societies in our potential future. The flip side to this artifice is that having a story to hang ideas on makes everything more memorable, especially if you're a reluctant reader of theory like I am.

Another participant in my book discussion said that she thought Connie should have killed herself, too, at the end of the book, rather than passively waiting to be taken back to Rockover and punished for life. I would have to agree there. I also think her murderous action was justified, given her situation. As a "sacrifice" that would "save the future," as the cover copy on the 1983 Fawcett Crest edition puts it, poisoning a few of the professionals isn't quite up to the job. But as a battle, definitely.(less)

MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China
by Guy Delisle

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MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars

Autobiography of a Face
by Lucy Grealy

read in November, 2008

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MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars People in Trouble by Sarah Schulman	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 13, 2009 03:43pm
MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars Brooklyn Dreams by J.M. DeMatteis recommended to MRM by: "Top 10 Graphic Novels" by Danny Fingeroth read in December, 2008	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
"'Moments that remain true under any classification.' That's the stuff I'm interested in." Terrific graphic novel about a sensitive, questing Brooklynite. I will lap up anything about growing up in Brooklyn (especially if they're not the mid-century D...more
Jan 10, 2009 09:11am · see review
MRM rated a book 3 of 5 stars Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream by Barbara Ehrenreich	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 28, 2008 06:00pm
MRM rated a book 3 of 5 stars Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity by Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (Goodreads Author) read in December, 2008	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A mixed collection of essays. I liked the premise, how "passing" can refer to many aspects of identity (not just ethnic/racial or gender). A few of the pieces I thought were too bogged down in the authors' exhausting recountings of intricate strains...more
Dec 23, 2008 12:02pm · see review
MRM rated a book 2 of 5 stars Bad Habits: A Love Story by Cristy C. Road (Goodreads Author) read in December, 2008	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Not into this repetitive, endless-seeming (at barely over 200 pages!) tale of drugs, depression, self-conscious subculture, etc. I feel bad and cranky about my reaction, but sometimes someone's difficult life just does not come out on the page well....more
Dec 22, 2008 12:47pm · see review
MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 29, 2008 08:02pm
MRM rated a book 5 of 5 stars Tamara Drewe by Posy Simmonds recommended to MRM by: BPL recommended reading list read in November, 2008	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Complex, compelling, and satisfying.
Nov 28, 2008 06:34am · see review
MRM rated a book 2 of 5 stars Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy read in November, 2008	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I feel harsh giving this book only two stars, but since my reaction was "it was okay," two stars is accurate in the GoodReads context. (Actually, my true reaction was "it was fucking depressing," though after closing the book and reflecting, there's...more
Nov 26, 2008 09:57am · see review
MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China by Guy Delisle	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 26, 2008 09:54am
MRM rated a book 4 of 5 stars Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy read in November, 2008	Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 16, 2008 07:44pm

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