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We Are Speaking In Code
227 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2020
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 1, 2020
An interesting essay collection that looks at identity, family, language and belonging. It's a bit uneven (the dog essay in particular felt pretty unnecessary, as much as I love pups), but the way Vavilova circles around her key interests across the different essays means the themes intersect and interact in interesting ways.
March 5, 2024
‘Sometimes it’s hard to walk away from disaster.’
Over thirteen essays, Ms Vavilova explores aspects of her world. How do we define ourselves? Is it through our family, our birth country and culture? Do we need to revisit how we see ourselves when life is affected by mental illness? Is it our view of life that changes as well as those around us?
Ms Vavilova takes the reader on a journey through her interests, work, and different facets of identity. Along the way, she reflects as she shares anecdotes about finding her own place. Some of those facets of identity include mental health and queerness, about the stresses of working in community organisations, of wanting to help but not always being able to do so. I can relate to some aspects of Ms Vavilova’s experience and appreciate others.
This is an interesting collection of essays which invites the reader to both share Ms Vasilova’s experiences while contemplating their own.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Over thirteen essays, Ms Vavilova explores aspects of her world. How do we define ourselves? Is it through our family, our birth country and culture? Do we need to revisit how we see ourselves when life is affected by mental illness? Is it our view of life that changes as well as those around us?
Ms Vavilova takes the reader on a journey through her interests, work, and different facets of identity. Along the way, she reflects as she shares anecdotes about finding her own place. Some of those facets of identity include mental health and queerness, about the stresses of working in community organisations, of wanting to help but not always being able to do so. I can relate to some aspects of Ms Vavilova’s experience and appreciate others.
This is an interesting collection of essays which invites the reader to both share Ms Vasilova’s experiences while contemplating their own.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
November 9, 2020
Finishing Tanya’s book I have the wonderful feeling that I have just dreamt someone’s life. Having Tanya observe the world for you is pleasant. She shares the comedy and poignancy of everyday life in details that I might have missed.
Beautifully written.
Beautifully written.
July 14, 2021
4.5
bops
bops
June 23, 2020
Sometimes you see yourself or your experiences on a page and it hits you like a tonne of bricks: Vavilova’s story about working in community services and sustaining vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout was all too familiar. I can vividly picture the caterer’s pack of Arnott’s biscuits on PD days and the sick feeling when a supervisor turns your request for support into a declaration of ineptitude. Usually this is only talked about in hushed whispers over cups of terrible tea when the boss isn’t around, or over drinks with your work friends, probably after at least one of you has quit and joined another organization to start the process all again.
Most people outside of the sector think that the clients are the hard part of this kind of work - often they are the easiest part, and they are always the best. It’s the diabolical working conditions, complex colleagues and bureaucratic red tape that really knocks you down. I completely relate to feeling both compelled and repelled by this kind of work, and I was very moved to read these experiences in print.
The rest of the book is great too. Vavilova has a unique voice and approach to issues which have been done to death. If I had to criticize something I’d say the essays don’t flow particularly well, and I did get tired of hearing so much about her grandmother. More people should be talking about this one!
Most people outside of the sector think that the clients are the hard part of this kind of work - often they are the easiest part, and they are always the best. It’s the diabolical working conditions, complex colleagues and bureaucratic red tape that really knocks you down. I completely relate to feeling both compelled and repelled by this kind of work, and I was very moved to read these experiences in print.
The rest of the book is great too. Vavilova has a unique voice and approach to issues which have been done to death. If I had to criticize something I’d say the essays don’t flow particularly well, and I did get tired of hearing so much about her grandmother. More people should be talking about this one!
August 15, 2021
𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦 is a series of essays exploring the fringes of life through the lens of Tanya Vavilova and her mental illness, queerness and migrant identity. She reviews and reconsiders various ideas such as being defined by your birth country.
I loved how she looks for ways to live on the edge. Her thought process is always sprinkled with humour and it is so refreshing. This book definitely made me reflect on life without being hard to read or too sad. Just what we need at the moment.
I loved how she looks for ways to live on the edge. Her thought process is always sprinkled with humour and it is so refreshing. This book definitely made me reflect on life without being hard to read or too sad. Just what we need at the moment.
December 23, 2021
Absolutely devoured this collection of essays. I especially loved the reflections about work and relationships - so insightful and familiar. A terrific read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews