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ericburns's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nonvolevoamarti's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
brespages's review against another edition
4.5
Such an interesting viewpoint from the midst of the AIDS epidemic. The author is an example of imperfect decisions. The way he both tries to do right by his community and dives into activism while also being utterly human in continued visits to the bathhouse and hurting one friend to save another despite not knowing if he even agrees with her choices. It feels utterly human and honest.
barbn's review
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dhenry9113's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
toria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really loved this book. It is a cynical yet hopeful look at eighties New York. Funny, tearful, anger making, you should read this book.
golem's review against another edition
4.5
Wonderful intertwining of civil rights and AIDS activism histories with lots of sex and suspense.
wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
You should read this book. My Government Means to Kill Me was a darkly comedic, witty, insightful, sexy, reflective, and deviously smart coming of age story that follows Trey as he creates a new life for himself after moving from Indianapolis to New York City in the 80s. Trey grows as a character through all of his varied interactions and relationships in bathhouses and bougie parties, with his sex worker roommate, neighbors, activists, queer elders, amidst the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic. This was the first book I’ve read that directly and insightfully addressed how AIDS ravaged the LGBTQIA community while also emphasizing the importance of community care and activism. The title of the book initially appears in the first few chapters, but it takes on heightened meaning In “Lesson 12: Learn How to Take a Punch,” when ACT UP! volunteers are put through a test to determine who among them is ready to stand on the front lines of a planned direct action. It was perhaps the most meaningful and timely message I took away from the book.
“You must remember that your victory comes from unmasking the senseless brutality that the government chooses to sanction against you, a collection of nonviolent demonstrators. The point is to let your bruised and bloodied bodies serve as evidence that the government means to kill you, if you so much as protest its bigoted policies.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Racism, Child death, Violence, Death, Drug use, Grief, and Racial slurs
meghan8715's review against another edition
I’m going to have DNF this book at 31%. I believe the underlying story is good and will continue to be good and get better as the main character ages; however, it was just too sexually graphic for my liking to continue.
felishacb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Child death, Death, Homophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality, Ableism, Medical content, Grief, Racial slurs, and Alcohol