2022: a beautiful and unique and difficult memoir

Machado recounts an abusive relationship that she was in with a woman who is so manipulative and awful to her that I am just happy that Machado made it through and lived to tell her tale. This memoir was a lot to listen to in conjunction with me having just finished [b:I'm Glad My Mom Died|59364173|I'm Glad My Mom Died|Jennette McCurdy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649286799l/59364173._SY75_.jpg|93537110]. I would prefer it if strong beautiful women would stop being abused, especially by other women! This also falls into the same category as [b:Know My Name|50196744|Know My Name|Chanel Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567612158l/50196744._SX50_SY75_.jpg|73239835] by Chanel Miller: how horrible of an event for the author to have to suffer through, but I am damn impressed by the beautiful art that was created hence.

One of the adjectives I kept seeing in relation to this book was "unique"–and it is! From Machado using the second person point of view in her own memoir, to the structure of the various essays that only formed a narrative story when read together as a cohesive whole, to even the topic. As Machado mentions multiple times in this book, there has been very little written about abuse in queer relationships. The idea of memoirist as archivist is a beautiful way for Machado to contribute to the conversation and ensure that her story will not be forgotten or overlooked.