In the Dream House

by Carmen Maria Machado
In the Dream House cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Biography and Memoir
Technical:
  • ID: 983
  • Added: 2025-09-24
  • Updated: 2025-09-24
  • ISBN: 9781644450383
  • Publisher: Graywolf Press
  • Published: 2020-10-20
  • Formats: 22
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99

Carmen Maria Machado's 'In the Dream House' is a revolutionary memoir that delves into the intricacies of an abusive relationship with a charismatic yet volatile woman. Through a series of narrative tropes—ranging from haunted houses to erotica—Machado dissects the mechanisms of psychological abuse and its impact on her personal growth. The book challenges conventional memoir structures by examining the events from multiple angles, offering a unique and engaging perspective on a harrowing experience. Machado's exploration extends beyond her personal story, critiquing cultural representations of abuse in queer relationships and drawing parallels with legal proceedings, fairy tales, and iconic works of film and fiction. Her characteristic wit and openness to inquiry make the dire narrative more accessible, while her critical eye on various cultural touchstones adds depth and context to her personal account. The result is a riveting and wrenching book that expands the possibilities of what a memoir can achieve.

Reviews
Stuck in a Book · 2023-08-28
brilliant 4.00

The memoir is praised for its brilliant portrayal of the silencing terror in abusive relationships. It is noted for its unique approach to the genre of memoir.

The reviewer commends Machado for her brilliant depiction of the silencing terror inherent in abusive relationships. They appreciate the memoir's unique structure and approach, which sets it apart from traditional memoirs. The reviewer also notes that the book is not just a personal account but a broader commentary on the experiences of queer women. They highlight the memoir's ability to capture the complexity and pain of such relationships.

Quick quotes

    Machado shows us the silencing terror at the heart of this sort of abusive relationship so brilliantly.

    It is not the sort of memoir that you can easily put down or forget.

    The book is a powerful and necessary addition to the literature on abuse and relationships.

Feminist Book Club · 2020-12-12
harrowing 4.00

The memoir is described as all-engrossing and harrowing, providing a deep dive into a previous relationship. It is seen as a significant and impactful read.

The reviewer finds the memoir to be all-engrossing and harrowing, providing a deep and unflinching look into a difficult relationship. They appreciate the book's ability to capture the complexity and pain of abusive relationships, particularly within the queer community. The reviewer also notes that the memoir is a significant and impactful read, one that stays with the reader long after finishing it.

Quick quotes

    In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado is an all engrossing and harrowing memoir about one of Machado's previous relationships.

    The book is a powerful and necessary addition to the literature on abuse and relationships.

    Machado's writing is raw and unflinching, making the memoir a difficult but important read.

The Guardian · 2020-01-05
beautiful 4.50

The book is described as a ravishingly beautiful memoir that tackles a difficult subject with tenderness and incandescence. It stands out as a unique and powerful narrative.

The reviewer highlights the book's beauty and its ability to address a harrowing subject with grace. They appreciate the tender and incandescent way the story is told, making it a unique and memorable memoir. The reviewer also notes the book's ability to shed light on the silencing terror of abusive relationships, particularly within the queer community.

Quick quotes

    For all the horror, In the Dream House is a ravishingly beautiful book, a tender, incandescent memoir like no other.

    There's no doubt that Machado's work is a significant contribution to the genre of memoir.

    The book is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the darkest corners of human experience.

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