Aggregated Discontent was very hit or miss for me. Most of the essays were not my style of writing. I would classify Walker’s writing as, similar to many other writers in the magazine relm, as “talking to your best friend.” I don’t think the book was written poorly, but I have difficulty with that type of writing. I wanted to know more about Walker, and found many of the chapters to be describing different parts of influential queer culture. That can have its place, but I had difficulty finding a solid throughline which made the book hard for me to invest in. I did really enjoy She Wants, She Takes, She Pretends, about Greer Lankton, but really disliked the chapter What’s New and Different? which seemed to be an alternative telling of the Devil Wears Prada.
I wanted to like this one and maybe it’s because I’m used to reading all fiction and this is like my 5th non fiction book in a row, so take this with a grain of salt.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harron Walker, and Random House for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

Thanks to NetGallry for this e-arc!
Solid essay collection about white trans womanhood by Harron. The beginning of the book introduces the reader to Harron and her journey, and the rest of the book consists of several essays that include pretty in-depth reporting on trans women's art, trans women's activism, and health care inequities - all USian. Harron. It reminds me of Jia Tolentino's book and I wasn't surprised to see her name in the acknowledgements.

Loved this memoir! It’s a memoir, but Herron’s journalistic writing is strong. I loved the way she writes, many parts are laugh-out-loud funny.

A solid essay collection on moving through the world as a trans woman and the reality of that! Some worked for me more than others but I liked the reflections on bad day jobs and working in media.

sharp and funny memoir with some very awesome themes. i've been reading a lot of memoirs from people with similar perspectives recently and all of them have been incredible, and this one is especially cool. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Harron Walker's Aggregated Discontents is a collection that offers a mixed bag of insights into contemporary social issues. The book aims to explore the complexities of modern life through a lens of personal reflection and broader societal critique. While Walker's writing is articulate and thoughtful at times, the overall impact of the work feels uneven.

On one hand, the prose is clear, and some passages demonstrate a keen understanding of the tensions in today's world, particularly around topics like inequality and digital culture. The author's attempt to blend personal anecdote with larger societal concerns is admirable, but at times, the connections between these themes feel forced or superficial.

The structure of the book itself can also be a bit disjointed. Some sections feel repetitive, and the pacing occasionally lags. Although there are moments of genuine insight, they are often overshadowed by passages that come off as overly broad or lacking the depth expected from a work tackling such significant subjects.

While Aggregated Discontents is not without merit, it ultimately leaves much to be desired. The book might resonate with some readers, especially those looking for a light introduction to certain social issues, but it doesn't quite live up to its potential as a compelling and cohesive critique. For those looking for a deeper exploration, this may not be the book you're hoping for.

Harron Walker is an extremely clever woman, and I loved this book of essays about her life and her art. I think she asks a lot of great questions about womanhood, sexuality, family, gender, transness, transfeminity, community, etc etc. Honestly what I thought the essays that were the most interesting were her experiences with different prominent trans women, and their art and lives. The collection of essays is funny, sharp, and I think a wide variety of people would find them interesting!