Roxane Gay

This collection includes 24 short stories, all of which tackle issues of power, trauma, connection, and pain in one way or another, and sometimes in multiple ways. It's not an easy collection to read, and I was glad to pace myself, reading 3 or 4 stories at a time in between other books. There is a lot of brutality, physical and mental abuse, and rape - almost every story could come with a trigger warning of some kind. Gay is a powerful writer, no more so than in "Strange Gods" which is at show more least semi-autobiographical (having read her memoir, [Hunger], I was familiar with the trauma she underwent as a young adult). But her power comes not just from the topics she addresses, but how she can balance them with humor and tenderness. My favorite story was probably "North Country" which is sad and sometimes angry, but also funny and touching.

Gay is one of my favorite writers, and I am glad to have finally tackled some of her fiction. show less

This was one of the most emotionally challenging listening experiences I’ve had. Not because the writing lacked anything. It was too powerful, too raw. I paused it often, unsure if I could keep going. Not because it wasn’t good, but because it was too much. Roxane Gay’s voice is steady and filled with nuance. There’s a richness to the way she shares her story that made it feel like I was hearing her read pages of a diary I wasn’t entirely sure I had the right to read. I hated how show more much of this I related to. I hated that it had to be written. I’m grateful that it was. This isn’t a book I can recommend to everyone. It’s too personal, too heavy, but it might be for you. show less

An Untamed State by Roxane Gay was a difficult read dealing, as it does, with a brutal kidnapping, vicious rapes and cold-blooded torture. This was also a book I could not put down, a very powerful story that moved me as it also educated me on conditions in Haiti with such extremes between the wealthy and the poor.

Although brought up in the States, Mireille is the daughter of Haitian parents who, upon making their fortune, returned to Haiti. Mireille is happily married to Michael, an show more American, and together they have a young son. They go on a vacation to Haiti in order that Mireille’s parents can get to know their grandson, but one day as they drive off the estate, they are forced off the road and Mireille is pulled from the car. Thus begins her days of horror as the kidnappers demand a million dollars for her return and her father, who is fearful that if he pays the full price, will be encouraging more of his family to be kidnapped, enters into negotiations.

A big part of the appeal of this book was the character of Mireille. As she shrinks into herself and lets her basic survival instinct take over, we are left wondering if she will ever be able to come back from the horrors that she has experienced. So be warned that this is not an easy read but as Mireille and Michael battle to bring some kind of normalcy back to their lives I found myself moved to tears. An Untamed State is remarkable book, heartbreaking, honest and life reaffirming. Truly a memorable read by an excellent author. show less

A dear friend of mine died two years ago. I never learned the cause of death, but it was quite possibly related to her morbid obesity.

Reading Gay's memoir, I was overwhelmed by an acute awareness of of my own ignorance. I came away with a stark sense of how little I knew about my friend and the issues—emotional, experiential—that were part of the story of her body. No doubt my distress and distain, that surfaced from time to time, helped her keep her story to herself. Why trust such show more personal history to someone who doesn't affirm all of who you are?

Reading this book, I had to confront the truth that I carried, still carry, judgments and criticisms of "unruly bodies" that I've never questioned. Until now. The writing—vulnerable, thoughtful, honest—will continue to challenge me for some time to come. show less