TRICK MIRROR

Reflections on Self-Delusion

by Jia Tolentino

In Trick Mirror, Jia Tolentino offers nine ori-ginal essays about the current state of the world we live in – as seen through the eyes of a whip-smart millennial with a feminist perspective. Tolentino is a staff writer at The New Yorker who before working in the Peace Corps in Kyrgyzstan, grew up in Houston in a family very dedicated to their evangelical mega-church.  Through her essays we learn of her transformation from devout Christian and obedient daughter to independent thinker and commentator on her generation.

Among her most compelling essays is one called “Ecstasy” in which she compares her experiences with religion and drugs and draws some interesting parallels.  Even more gripping is “The Story of a Generation in Seven Scams,” where she writes about Billy MaFarland and Fyre Festival, the 2008 financial crash, the student debt disaster, Facebook , Girlbosses, Amazon and the 2016 presidential election. If that seems like a lot of subjects to tie together, it is.  But that’s where Tolentino shines brill-iantly in her essays.  She pulls a ton of what seems like disparate information together and systematically and understandably makes her point – which is inevitably a fascinating one.

Other favorite essays included “I Thee Dread” about the crazy extravagance of weddings today and the pressure people put on her to get married.  “Cult of the Difficult Woman” looks at celebrities and politicians and offers some interesting theories on how and why they are treated as they are. Tolentino writes well and presents some really smart ideas.  You’ll find yourself reading passages out loud to whomever is around – just to share her insights and her wit.  This is a must read. (Liz)