One of my favorite books I read this past schoolyear was one I read in my Intermediate Non-Fiction course with Professor Glen Retief; that book is Carmen Maria Machado’s “In the Dream House,” a devastating yet splendid memoir from the perspective of an abused woman in her same-sex relationship.
About the Book:
Carmen Maria Machado was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the mid-80s and always had a passion for writing and debuted in 2017 with her collection of short stories, “Her Body and Other Parties” and almost immediately became a well-recognized and critically acclaimed book. In the Dream House emerged from Machado’s desire to tell her own story of surviving an abusive relationship, a narrative that is often underrepresented, particularly in the context of queer relationships. Machado has discussed how she struggled to find accounts of same-sex domestic abuse that resonated with her experience, this gap in representation partly motivated her to write this memoir, aiming to contribute to the discourse on domestic violence with her unique perspective.
In the Dream House sets itself apart from many other queer novels and memoirs as it confronts the pervasive myth that same-sex relationships are inherently egalitarian and free from the power dynamics that can lead to abuse, delving deep into the broader cultural contexts of abuse in queer relationships. In addition to its intellectual rigor, In the Dream House is profoundly intimate and raw, not shying away from the messiness of her emotions or the contradictions in her thoughts and actions. Machado’s prose is nothing short of mesmerizing, she possesses a remarkable ability to convey deep emotion and vivid imagery with a few carefully chosen words. Her writing is poetic and lyrical, yet also precise and unflinching, allowing for her to tackle difficult subjects with grace and sensitivity.
Review of the Book:
From the outset, In the Dream House distinguishes itself with its unique approach to storytelling. Rather than following a linear progression, Machado constructs her memoir through a series of vignettes, these chapters are titled with various literary and cultural references, such as “Dream House as Queer Villainy,” and “Dream House as Choose Your Own Adventure.” This inventive structure not only kept me engaged as it mirrors the fragmented and often disorienting nature of trauma, yet many public opinions vary as debates about the style can be made for or against the book.
Another debate often brought up in, especially queer, literature is the effectiveness of connecting to wider audiences. I personally connected to this memoir in far more ways than one, even though I have never personally experienced abuse my own queer relationship. I think it is important to remember when reading books, especially memoirs, that we should not critique traumatic experiences, even more so when you yourself have not lived through the horrors that exist inside one. The best thing one can do to help loved ones going through these kinds of experiences, is to educate yourself through literature and media to better connect with someone struggling. Machado’s work is an absolutely perfect example, my opinion, to do so, not only does the story put the reader into the book with its second person perspective, but it is also raw to the bone about the hardships people in these situations may face.
Overall, In the Dream House is a groundbreaking book that challenges and enriches the genre of memoir. Carmen Maria Machado’s courage in sharing her story, coupled with her exceptional literary talent, makes this book a must-read. It is a profound meditation on the complexities of love, power, and identity, and it offers a vital contribution to our understanding of abuse in queer relationships. Machado’s voice is one of both beauty and truth, and In the Dream House will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on anyone who reads it.
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