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half_book_and_co's review against another edition
4.0
3,5
"In our house, where Twi holds loss within each of its syllables, we sing songs of thanks, remembering what we had."
Evoking Anansi, the trickster, the owner of all stories, Derek Owusu tells a complicated, layered coming-of-age story. The protagonist, K., grows up partially in foster care, partially with his birth mother. Early experiences with abuse, poverty, and racism form trauma which K. struggles to address even when he starts to find friends and love. The narration through short, often poetic vignettes reflects the fickleness of memory but also the fragmentation of a self reckoning with mental illness. Though I found that some vignettes crossed the line from poetic to (too) opaque making it hard to grasp any content. There are also some themes and narrative threads which I felt were dropped - which, as this is told in first person, might be very true to K.'s experience of the world but left me wanting a bit more.
Though all in all, this novel gives its reader hardly any relief on its 113 pages but unflinchingly tells the story of a young Black man, mental health, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. It is a strong first novel (or rather novella) which made me excited to see what Owusu writes next.
"In our house, where Twi holds loss within each of its syllables, we sing songs of thanks, remembering what we had."
Evoking Anansi, the trickster, the owner of all stories, Derek Owusu tells a complicated, layered coming-of-age story. The protagonist, K., grows up partially in foster care, partially with his birth mother. Early experiences with abuse, poverty, and racism form trauma which K. struggles to address even when he starts to find friends and love. The narration through short, often poetic vignettes reflects the fickleness of memory but also the fragmentation of a self reckoning with mental illness. Though I found that some vignettes crossed the line from poetic to (too) opaque making it hard to grasp any content. There are also some themes and narrative threads which I felt were dropped - which, as this is told in first person, might be very true to K.'s experience of the world but left me wanting a bit more.
Though all in all, this novel gives its reader hardly any relief on its 113 pages but unflinchingly tells the story of a young Black man, mental health, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. It is a strong first novel (or rather novella) which made me excited to see what Owusu writes next.
octavia_l's review against another edition
4.0
Fragmented memories told through lyrically poetic prose.
From living in care as a child through to being institutionalised due to mental health as an adult - 'That Reminds Me' is a hard-hitting coming of age book and an interesting debut from a unique voice. I am excited to see and read more of Derek Owusu's words.
From living in care as a child through to being institutionalised due to mental health as an adult - 'That Reminds Me' is a hard-hitting coming of age book and an interesting debut from a unique voice. I am excited to see and read more of Derek Owusu's words.
erebus53's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith narrates Derek Owusu's poetic collection of reflections about life growing up as a Ghanaian Brit. A coherent and achingly beautiful account of finding self, and survival against the odds, with hard hitting and thoughtful narrative, and footnotes of mental health resources for readers seeking support for BPD. (Winner of the 2020 Desmond Elliott Prize for best debut novel in UK.)
lucindakonadu's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't realise that it was all written in poetry form..so I guess that's on me. But I did enjoy it.
snapshotsofabookishlass's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Addiction, Self harm, Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
martynahanna's review against another edition
3.0
I hyped this up so much for myself that I was slightly underwhelmed - it's not the writing, because it's original and poetic, but the story just felt a bit chaotic, and I kept on drifting in and out of it, having to re-read passages. Some "vignettes" were beautiful, and easier to get into, but I may have just reached my quota for books about mental health and self-harm for now or maybe I just wasn't the right time for me for that level of vulnerable and mind-bending writing.
boxofcats's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Found the layout of the book interesting and a small bit confusing while listening, think this can be avoided by reading a physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
monim6's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0