Description
Book Synopsis: True crime, memoir, and ghost story, Mean is the bold and hilarious tale of Myriam Gurba’s coming of age as a queer, mixed-race Chicana. Blending radical formal fluidity and caustic humor, Gurba takes on sexual violence, small towns, and race, turning what might be tragic into piercing, revealing comedy. This is a confident, intoxicating, brassy book that takes the cost of sexual assault, racism, misogyny, and homophobia deadly seriously.
We act mean to defend ourselves from boredom and from those who would cut off our breasts. We act mean to defend our clubs and institutions. We act mean because we like to laugh. Being mean to boys is fun and a second-wave feminist duty. Being mean to men who deserve it is a holy mission. Sisterhood is powerful, but being mean is more exhilarating.
Being mean isn't for everybody. Being mean is best practiced by those who understand it as an art form. These virtuosos live closer to the divine than the rest of humanity. They're queers.
Myriam Gurba is a queer spoken-word performer, visual artist, and writer from Santa Maria, California. She's the author of Dahlia Season (2007, Manic D) which was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, Wish You Were Me (2011, Future Tense Books), and Painting Their Portraits in Winter (2015, Manic D). She has toured with Sister Spit and her work has been exhibited at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. She lives in Long Beach, where she teaches social studies to eighth-graders.
Details
Experience a fearless and captivating journey with Mean, the extraordinary book that seamlessly combines elements of true crime, memoir, and ghost story. Authored by Myriam Gurba, this compelling coming-of-age tale vividly explores the author's experiences as a queer, mixed-race Chicana. Gurba fearlessly tackles sensitive topics such as sexual violence, race, and small-town dynamics with radical formal fluidity and caustic humor. Prepare to be captivated and moved as tragedy is transformed into piercing comedy in this audacious masterpiece.
Mean is an unapologetically powerful and thought-provoking book that delves deep into the issues of sexual assault, racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Gurba's poignant storytelling leaves no stone unturned, delivering a book that is as intoxicating as it is brassy. Immerse yourself in the pages and be prepared to be moved as you embark on a journey that examines the complex layers of humanity. This book takes its subject matter seriously, challenging societal norms while inviting readers to embrace the inherent power of sisterhood.
Mean is not for the faint-hearted. This extraordinary work of art is best appreciated by those who understand the beauty of pushing boundaries. Gurba's masterful storytelling invites the reader to explore the concept of meanness as an art form, highlighting the complex relationship between power, laughter, and societal norms. In the realm of meanness, Gurba positions queers as the virtuosos, living closer to the divine than the rest of humanity.
Join Myriam Gurba on this fearless exploration of what it means to be mean. Brace yourself for an exhilarating journey that challenges societal expectations and celebrates the power of individuality. To embark on this extraordinary adventure, click here.
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