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Be Not Afraid of Love

Lessons on Fear, Intimacy and Connection
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( 2,796 ratings, 554 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Be Not Afraid of Love is a powerful collection of interconnected essays and affirmations by Mimi Zhu, chronicling their healing journey after surviving intimate-partner abuse. The book explores love’s complexities, fear’s impact, and the intersection of personal and societal realms through Zhu’s candid reflections on oppression, healing, joy and community.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3099
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This memoir is ideal for readers interested in personal healing, queer experiences, and explorations of love and resilience in contemporary life. It will resonate with those seeking profound emotional insight and affirmations around self-love and community.

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A blend of memoir, essay and affirmations exploring love in all its forms.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Be Not Afraid of Love is a stunning collection of interconnected essays and affirmations that follow Mimi Zhu’s journey toward embodying and re-learning love after a violent relationship.

In their early twenties, queer Chinese-Australian writer and artist Mimi Zhu was a survivor of intimate-partner abuse. This left them broken, in search of ways to heal and find love again. They found that in words. In sharing their own intimate encounters with oppression, healing, joy and community, Mimi invites readers all over the world to reflect deeply on their own experiences, with the intention of acting as a guide to undoing the hurt or uncertainty within them.

This book is a continuation of that re-learning, exploring the intersections of love and fear in self-esteem, friendship, family dynamics and romantic relationships, and extending out to its effects on society and the greater political realm. Mimi's powerful and provocative words will guide and inspire readers to lean into love with softness.

Heartrending and revolutionary, Be Not Afraid of Love is a testament to the strength and adaptability all humans possess, and a tribute to love in all its forms.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Jonny Sun praises it as "a radical and revolutionary act of love, transcendently written." Yrsa Daley-Ward calls it "tender, insightful and deeply affirming." Yung Pueblo commends Zhu’s honesty and connection to readers' hearts, while Fariha Róisín expresses deep gratitude for Zhu's words and existence.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781743799123

Publisher: Hardie Grant Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 September 2022

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hardie Grant Books

Illustration: Black and white illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 275g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Mimi Zhu (they/them) is a queer Chinese-Australian writer and artist who explore the many intersections of love and fear. They share their words on their hugely popular Instagram @mimizhuxiyuan and newsletter 'Write, To Heal', and they facilitate workshops that are dedicated to the healing power of the written word. Their work has been featured in The New York Times, PAPER, i-D, The Guardian, Printed Matter, VICE and more. They are based in Brooklyn, New York.

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