Customer Reviews

Hello Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks and Other Outlaws

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm not a teen, but I am a long-time freak in the middle of what I sincerely hope is the worst set of circumstances I will face in my life. I am losing someone I love more than just about anything to a very slow and painful disease.

I haven't felt hope in nine months. This book gave me hope.

This book could save your life. I wish it had been around when I was a suicidal seventh-grader. One of the readers at Amazon.com says, "Every high school library should carry this book!" and that's probably the best possible endorsement. This is a wonderful book.

Hello, Cruel World is the best depiction I have seen of the real world of troubled teens. It accurately locates the bully as the most common cause of self-esteem issues that can take years, even decades, to resolve. Kate's only rule for readers is "don't be mean," and that is certainly the most obvious characteristic of every bully I've ever faced. Kate's winning personality and irresistible sense of humor prevail over the heavy topic matter. Her writing is inspired, passionate, and empathic. There is little if anything that goes uncovered here. (Well, okay, she includes "sex worker" but omits "drug dealer" and "rock and roller" from her list of freak-admissible careers in alternative 34, "Sing for your Supper." I mean, if you're going to include the Unholy Trinity, you might as well go all the way, right?)

Actually, my only real quibble with this book (and it is a quibble) is that I thought this book might be even "safer" if the cover were more discreet. I admit that it's a bit busy for my taste, but perhaps a plain cover would have been even better for the sake of the kids who might have to sneak around with this book.

My three favorite passages:(not verbatim - as I remember them)
1:In high school, we didn't kill the freaks - we did something worse - we made them want to kill themselves.

2:The next time you want to kill yourself - kill the offending part of yourself instead- selective serial suicide.

3: I want to become that which I'm most attracted to.

I don't know if it's boorish to predicate a review with my own trans status, but hey, I am if it matters. Seriously, I love Kate Bornstein because she tells us exactly what we need to hear - we are human, we suffer, we do not deserve to be punished (unless that's what we want). I use all Kate's books not just for myself, but to point other people in my life toward as a gender primer and affirmation. She's an easy, interesting and heartfelt author who shares the secrets so many of us are too afraid to admit are our own. This is an essential reader.

At a recent benefit at Bluestockings Bookstore, Kate handed out "GET OUT OF HELL FREE CARDS" where she promised to negotiate with God on our behalf and accept any punishment inflicted on us (even going to hell in our place) for taking the advice she lists in "101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws," which encourages us to save our lives by whatever means necessary. Amung her 101 alternatives to suicide she lists: cutting, starving yourself, taking drugs, and finding the love of your life. All of which she lists with an indication of hearts or skulls the effectiveness of each technigue. Although I did not take any of her suggestions, upon finishing the book I was no longer as suicidal...maybe because I felt like she would accept me no matter how messed up (or un-acceptable) I am and this made me feel better. Every High School Library Should Carry This Book!

Kate writes the most provocative books, and never stops thinking and working. "Hello Cruel World" cares so much about the state you're in because of who you are...a hopeful, helpful survival guide for the little Left-Outs (and the big ones, too.)
And a gorgeous layout all around. Thanks, Ms. Bornstein, for your voice.

Kate first shook up my life in 1994 with her mind-blowing "Gender Outlaw"...12 years ago, she totally reframed the way we can (and should) look at gender--not an easy subject to grapple with.

NOW she's taken on an even MORE complex issue and made it accessible to mere mortals!

Kate's paid some serious dues and it shows in this book. Her *life* experience shows me that things can get pretty bad, but that we can make them better, and even make them wonderful.

Her take on how to NOT off yourself is so enlightening, and fun...and PRACTICAL too. Life's more enjoyable because she's written this book and has shared it with the world.

Thanks to "Hello, Cruel World", I can now moisturize *while* watch the panda cams..(Read the book and you'll get it)..

If you have no other reasons to stay alive, order this book today...It'll be worth the wait!

Hello Cruel World is a must-read for anyone who is, works with, lives with, interacts with, knows, or has heard of GLBTQ folks, youth, college students, human beings - anyone!!

Of all the books I have read and lectures and seminars I have attended addressing this topic, Kate takes one of the most realistic (and entertaining) approaches to suicide. Kate offers concrete, practical and sensible (and not-so-sensible but better than suicide) alternatives.

Buy this book, read this book - and buy a second copy for your local library.

I was given this book by a school counselor on our final session. I had just graduated and my school health insurance was ending, but I was still depressed and suicidal. This book ended up being a 'portable counselor' - and actually helped me more than counseling sessions did.

The book is written as though she's talking to you. Reading through this book is like talking to an **experienced** friend who has all sorts of suggestions. With each suicide alternative she usually also refers to other books/media to check out if you're interested.

I've read the first part of the book 3 times since it was given to me less than a year ago. Yet, I still haven't entirely read through all the alternatives - I typically find something that I can work on that helps me feel better. Hello Cruel World *always* helps if I can remember to reach for it, but sometimes I just can't even make it to my bookshelf. This book is especially helpful if you're dealing with LGBT and gender issues.

The best part about Hello Cruel World is that it's easy to read when you're depressed. Nothing is easy to read when you're depressed, right? It was written intimately and warm and each of the alternatives is written with a brevity that makes it bearable. Her cheesy humor somehow works when you're wanting to kill yourself. Just flip to something that sounds interesting and it's hardly a chore to read it.

I let a friend borrow the book a couple weeks ago but this is one of those books that I need to keep track of because I never know when I'll need it again. I'm actually here to purchase a copy for that friend because I really need mine again. =P

BTW: Just a tip - If you're transgender MtF I recommend Julia Serano's "Whipping Girl" before reading Kate's "Gender Outlaw" or any other trans specific books.

I found myself reading this book the way I savor fine wine. I literally read it in 10 page incriments, partly because I wanted to make sure that I was fully digesting the contents and because I never wanted to reach the book's end. Kate is a mind-blowing, earth-shattering activist who continues to inspire me. I picked up this book at a time in my life when I wasn't feeling low or depressed, but 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens Freaks and Other Outlaws provided me with such a life affirming experience, that words don't even begin to do justice to it's impact. Know that I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen!