In the Dream House

Books | Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs

4.7

(4.2K)

Carmen Maria Machado

A revolutionary memoir about domestic abuse by the award-winning author of Her Body and Other PartiesIn 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 representations 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—the haunted house, erotica, the bildungsroman—through 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 of 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, fairy tales, Star Trek, and Disney villains, 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.

Tearjerkers

Lgbtq+

Buy now:

More Details:

Author

Carmen Maria Machado

Pages

224

Publisher

Graywolf Press

Published Date

2019-11-05

ISBN

1644451026 9781644451021

Ratings

Google: 5

Community ReviewsSee all

"As is my preference, this book is built on many really short chapters. What makes it even more impressive to me is that weaved within the chronological order of events from the dream house are other moments in her life, in history and points to notice. The organization of it all is deliberate and fluid, making it hard to not say "just one more chapter!" Cause it'll only take a minute or two anyway. Machado's voice is also incredibly strong and her words clear and firm, bringing the scenes to life around you: hearing the loud and quiet insults, seeing the shifts between anger and innocence, feeling the fear and relief. Due to the sensitive subject matter (abusive relationship), not everyone should read this, but if you are in a safe mindset to do so, I would strongly recommend. 5/5🏚️"

Mare

"I usually stick with fiction, but I knew I had to read this memoir, and I'm so glad I did. The way Carmen writes is beautiful and haunting and I think it's such an important book for everyone to read. "

Skye Edelson-Bennett

"A Must read "

"Stunningly written and deeply painful- this memoir will stick with me"

Alexia Hollis

"This book is extremely powerful in putting into the words the damage of emotional abuse in a romantic relationship. Machado jumps from her experience to a wealth of references, definitely a strong suit for her, but not my favorite style. My favorite chapter that reinforced the emotional depth was “dream house as a choose your own adventure”"

Emily G.

"i did not expect to relate to this as much as i did, and it broke my heart. this was one of the most interesting memoirs i have ever read, and i loved the setup of it. it was definitely difficult to get through, but in the best way, the way that makes you stop and think after everything you’ve just read."

Marygrace Ryan

"Buenas reflexiones de lo que autora pasó como lesbiana en una relación de abuso 3/5"

Kasandra

"Carmen María Machado is incredible and her writing speaks for itself but her voice in the queer world being a survivor of DV, I am so proud of her getting out but also being brave enough to tell her story. It’s ****** up that this happens at all but the people who are bringing it to light are amazing for making this issue visible. The first time I heard about this book I put it off because it is jarring and I recognize those moments of anger from a childhood of a parent with a short fuse and bipolar. I hope the woman from the dream house got help because she seems very unstable and it makes me want to cry my eyes out thinking about it. "

Finn Hughes

"astounding. incredibly thoughtful and insightful. though dark in subject, it is wonderfully hopeful, and markedly affirming and validating for victims of abuse of any kind - especially in a world that relishes in diminishing and erasing those victims experiences. a must read for anyone, especially survivors and queer individuals.<br/><br/>the only point against this book is very niche to my experience in reading: i have also recently read If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga, which is a surprisingly comparable read in its experimentation with format and exploration of complex social issues through narrative. i couldn’t help but compare them sometimes in my reading experience with In the Dream House, and i do think i enjoyed If an Egyptian a bit more and was maybe mildly more impacted by it. very minor gripe though and i still believe In the Dream House is a groundbreaking book and ranks among the best i have ever read."

Joseph

"“After it was over I would mourn her as if she had died because someone had—someone we had created together.”<br/><br/>Wow. I absolutely loved this book."