My god. I only hope I'll one day be able to take such real care and thought in considering so many aspects of situations, emotions, etc., that are beyond complicated. (And hope, I think, to summon the courage to present that thought to others.) ( )

Complex musings on freedom as the concept applies to art, sex, drugs, and climate change. Nelson shows through her deeply considered thinking that the complexities ARE the thing. Freedom is never one thing and it must always face its inherent complications and conflicts. In the meanwhile we must speak our moments of joy, we must feel and live. We are after all living.

Wooof. What a let down. Who knew Maggie Nelson was capable of that level of patronization? ( )

I was not in a good headspace to fully take in this book. I should reread it, but from what I was able to absorb, I know this would be a worthwhile exercise. Maggie Nelson writes, articulately, as she pulls you through a complex web of ideas, and theories, never shying from taking back alleys, and leaving no stone unturned. I always ask myself if I am really smart enough to read Maggie Nelson, and feel her works could be read and reread, only to find new revelations, and perhaps more importantly, new questions to ponder. I was in a very anxious state while I read this, which inhibited me from taking it slow, a necessary posture to assume when reading any of her work. ( )

Didn’t agree with every sentence, but every sentence made me think. ( )