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bookishcori's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
highly readable. Holbrook is a Black writer, mother, literary leader, and teacher. Because this is rooted in the Twin Cities literary scene, it was quite interesting. If you like essay collections, give this one a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racism, and Domestic abuse
kjboldon's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful and powerful collection of essays. Holbrook shares her personal stories like the gifts they are, of her journeys in single motherhood, teaching, writing, and community advocacy. I'm in awe of her persistence despite the many obstacles she writes about here, and so impressed by her many achievements, which include this book.
Some reviewers comment that the book is repetitive, or disjointed. I didn't find this, but in any case, this is a collection of different pieces, published separately over a number of years, so is not meant to be read as a linear, singlular narrative--it's an essay collection, not a conventional memoir.
Some reviewers comment that the book is repetitive, or disjointed. I didn't find this, but in any case, this is a collection of different pieces, published separately over a number of years, so is not meant to be read as a linear, singlular narrative--it's an essay collection, not a conventional memoir.
anerdybookbirdy's review against another edition
5.0
This book gave me a lot to think about as a white woman and the privilege I have within society. My heart broke for the ways in which the author was treated and her daughter and the the lack of support and justice they received. Carolyn Holbrook seems to be such a truly lovely person that has contributed to and inspired such a large amount of people to write and express themselves and that is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. I wish my teachers were as wonderful as Carolyn is.
(Blog post to come soon)
(Blog post to come soon)
openmypages's review against another edition
3.0
Carolyn's tale is an inspiring one but one that underlines the uphill battle people of color need to fight each and every day to get ahead, be heard and find peace and happiness in this world. She begins by describing her childhood which was marred by divorce and an entanglement as a teenager that left her pregnant and in juvenile detention. Not the most auspicious start! But Carolyn pulls herself up by her bootstraps and starts her own secretarial business which leads to teaching and writing which leads to awards and ultimately lives made better by her good influence. She talks a lot about her drive to get off foodstamps and out of poverty and just how hard it truly was even though she was working unbelievably hard. There are several hard sections that detail domestic abuse for both her and her daughter.
Memoirs are always hard to rate as there is a fine line between constructive criticism and judging how a person chooses to tell their story. The content within this story is nothing if not motivating for all who read it. It is also enlightening about the challenges BIPOC people face even when they are working their hardest for the same education and job opportunities as white people. I think that essays didn't quite flow in a way that was intuitive to me but that just may be my preference since I don't read essays compilations a lot.
Thanks to Netgalley and University of Minnesota Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Memoirs are always hard to rate as there is a fine line between constructive criticism and judging how a person chooses to tell their story. The content within this story is nothing if not motivating for all who read it. It is also enlightening about the challenges BIPOC people face even when they are working their hardest for the same education and job opportunities as white people. I think that essays didn't quite flow in a way that was intuitive to me but that just may be my preference since I don't read essays compilations a lot.
Thanks to Netgalley and University of Minnesota Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
vickycorb's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get through this book, not because it was bad but because of the message. I found it powerful and very current with our times. Sometimes we need a reality check and this book was definitely one of them.
Her writing style kept me hooked on the story.
Her writing style kept me hooked on the story.
foxandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Just wow! One more book that has taught me that I have a lot to learn.
Carolyn uses essays to take you thru her life. Her heartaches, her triumphs, her losses, and her joy. I wonder if she knows just how strong she is. What rang true for me throughout this book, is that she was made not to see her own self worth and that is truly heartbreaking.
Thank you Carolyn for giving the world this book. May we all learn from it and share it with others.
Thank you to Netgalley and the University of Minnesota Press for the copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Carolyn uses essays to take you thru her life. Her heartaches, her triumphs, her losses, and her joy. I wonder if she knows just how strong she is. What rang true for me throughout this book, is that she was made not to see her own self worth and that is truly heartbreaking.
Thank you Carolyn for giving the world this book. May we all learn from it and share it with others.
Thank you to Netgalley and the University of Minnesota Press for the copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
reevek's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but the writing just wasn't for me. I only made it two chapters before I had to move on (which is rare for me to do with any book!). While the subject matter is important, Holbrook's style read more like a high school paper and missed the mark for me.
nbakken's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Racism, and Racial slurs