Brutalities was a cutting read about self hatred and sex work and body mutilaton. It was complicated to read as a disabled person when Steins talks of temporary illness and punishing her body through gruelling exercise regimes. But she has lived a life with so many specific books and crannies from being a professional dom to retraining as a welder and now watching her body morphe as she grows her first child, it was difficult and unrelenting.

Brutalities was a really interesting read; I liked reading about all the different jobs the protagonist had throughout her life. I also thought the pregnancy during the pandemic was very interesting.

Wow. This book reminded me so much of Melissa Febos’ writing because of the author’s searing attention to herself, her life, her body, and her words. We need more writers in the world who are brave enough to approach reality with an unflinching pen. There are so many complex truths laid bare in these pages. Anchored in her pandemic pregnancy, Steines takes us on a literary, almost spiritual tour of the hard things she has experienced and witnessed. In the process, she exposes the soft core of what it means to be human and vulnerable to hurt. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.