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cstefko's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
So, here's the thing. I think Dustin Lance Black's writing skills definitely lend themselves more to screenwriting (or so I assume... this is shameful to admit, but I still haven't watched Milk. I wanted to see it when it came out, but high school me wasn't chill enough to go to a movie alone and I sure as hell wasn't asking anyone to go with my mostly-closeted self to see that film :P). His writing style reads just a bit (okay, a lot) melodramatic on the page. BUT. But. His story and his family's story are so compelling. I really enjoyed this memoir. It lagged a bit in the beginning, but around the halfway point it became quite a page-turner. It was interesting to read about the marriage equality movement from someone who was both an insider and an outsider in various ways. I don't normally jibe with the idea that we need to "see both sides" in politics, but I appreciate how for this one specific political movement it was a useful strategy. Idk, it's complicated. But Black writes about it with a fair amount of nuance. I think the main takeaway is supposed to be that there are people who can be persuaded and they can be useful allies against the true/unyielding bigots. Overall, a really touching book about the importance of family, the value of hope in life and in politics, and finding the courage to be who you really are. Thanks to Knopf/Pantheon for the review copy! I will definitely be recommending this one to my book club.
So, here's the thing. I think Dustin Lance Black's writing skills definitely lend themselves more to screenwriting (or so I assume... this is shameful to admit, but I still haven't watched Milk. I wanted to see it when it came out, but high school me wasn't chill enough to go to a movie alone and I sure as hell wasn't asking anyone to go with my mostly-closeted self to see that film :P). His writing style reads just a bit (okay, a lot) melodramatic on the page. BUT. But. His story and his family's story are so compelling. I really enjoyed this memoir. It lagged a bit in the beginning, but around the halfway point it became quite a page-turner. It was interesting to read about the marriage equality movement from someone who was both an insider and an outsider in various ways. I don't normally jibe with the idea that we need to "see both sides" in politics, but I appreciate how for this one specific political movement it was a useful strategy. Idk, it's complicated. But Black writes about it with a fair amount of nuance. I think the main takeaway is supposed to be that there are people who can be persuaded and they can be useful allies against the true/unyielding bigots. Overall, a really touching book about the importance of family, the value of hope in life and in politics, and finding the courage to be who you really are. Thanks to Knopf/Pantheon for the review copy! I will definitely be recommending this one to my book club.
amy_park's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.5
Moving and inspirational. This memoir is incredibly written. Lance explores both his and his mums life in such a detailed and touching way, it make you feel like you know the family personally. The struggles and hardships they encountered from an early age both physically and emotionally is inspiring. I loved the exploration of faith, equality and diversity, and ultimately finding the strength to fight for your future and the life you are entitled too. Didn't rate 5 star as found some jumps in Lance's life was skimmed over, would loved to have found out more about him getting into film. Would highly recommend.
melonpea's review against another edition
5.0
I knew this book was going to be good, and it exceeded my expectations. DLB is a wonderful writer and storyteller; you feel every joy and every heartbreak, and there are plenty of both. You will feel every ounce of "spectacular love" his family shared. Beautiful.
jamicuns01's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. The author is an accomplished screenwriter who deserves every accolades that has been thrown his way. His writing style didn’t translate as well as I would have like from screen to book, so I struggled with the book at times bc it didn’t flow as well as other memoirs I have read. That is the only criticism I can give this book though. It’s worth reading just to get to know his badass mother. She is absolutely incredible and I’m in awe of her resilience and tenacity. He is very honest regarding his struggles as a closeted gay boy being raised in the Mormon church. He’s respectful but honest in his criticism. His story is a story that I have heard time and time again from gay members who struggle (at a young age) within their conservative churches to find worth and love. It is heartbreaking every time i hear these stories. We can do better and we must do better. Lives hang in the balance. If you are interested in reading a short history of how marriage equality was won in this country while being inspired to be better and do better this is your book.
porchceiling15's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
givnuapeacesign's review against another edition
5.0
"A promise is a sacred thing." Dustin Lance Black's memoir is a brilliant tribute to his mama and his work bettering the lives of all of us. I was on the steps of the SCOTUS when the decision came down announcing marriage equality was the law of the land. I didn't know who was responsible for getting it there. I was coincidentally in town to jointly receive an award for our middle school and with my best friends grabbed an UBER the moment we heard the decision had come down. We had to be there, that day, that hour, that moment. Thanks to Black and his promise of urgency and immediacy to the children of America from the podium of the Academy Awards, I got to witness history on 06-26-15 This memoir demonstrates the gift of strength, courage, ferocity, and unconditional love Black's mother modeled for her sons and to the wider world to her dying breath. She did not want to be seen as disabled or receive special privileges because of her circumstances, yet she did expect truth, hard work, integrity, and honesty from those around her. She was forgiving, willing to listen, build bridges, and compromise. All of these qualities resonate through her sons throughout their lives. Life certainly wasn't easy for any of them, ever. But blessed it was and is. Bravo.
pleasereadittome's review against another edition
5.0
Part personal memoir, part family history and part cultural commentary, “Mama’s Boy” is nonfiction that follows the formula of quality historical fiction – a strong female character, intersection with landmark events and overcoming barriers both within yourself and from the world around you.
The story traces several generations of Black’s family, people that often found themselves on the fringes of society – whether from income disparity, disability, religion or sexual orientation.
First is his grandmother, Cokie, the wife to an alcoholic and mother to seven children, armed only with a fifth-grade education. She and her husband are two of the only white sharecroppers in segregated Lake Providence, Louisiana, in the 1940s and are barely scrapping by.
Next his is mother, Rose Anna who was three-years-old she was stricken with polio and spent more than a decade in multiple facilities, sometimes facing antiquated and inhuman practices that almost killed her, before making it back home in her late-teens.
Determined for a better life she set off for college with dreams of becoming a physician, and that’s where the trajectory of her life changed forever. I could go on and on about Rose Anna’s life but that would ruin the joy in discovering it for yourself.
Let’s just say her story involves converting to Mormonism; having children despite the medical risks; an abusive second marriage arranged by the Mormon church; building a successful career with the military; and courtship with a handsome, younger military officer.
Despite her hardships, Rose Anna never let life get her down. In fact, she thrived after every setback. Her resilience, courage and love shine through the pages, and Black writes (and narrates) with a cinematic flair that keeps you hooked.
About halfway through “Mama’s Boy,” the story pivots to focus almost solely on Black, and the early days of his career in gay Los Angeles in the mid-90s.
While an interesting coming out and behind the scenes Hollywood story, these chapters felt disconnected from the broader narrative, which is strange because it’s Black’s memoir, but his mother is the heart of the story.
When they do start to intersect again – specifically after his coming out which left their relationship icy for a period of time – the subtitle “A Story From Our Americas” starts to take shape.
The last third of the book is almost a manifesto of sorts, with Black using the acceptance of his sexuality from his military-loving, religious and deeply conservative mother as a call-to-action for us all to be more open-minded and forgiving.
Black straddled two mostly disparate worlds almost his entire life. He’s been successful by building bridges that allowed him to advocate for himself and others in a way that was more organic, and I’ll say, impactful from the “you’re either with me or against me” attitude of modern politics and social change.
Easily one of my top books of 2021.
The story traces several generations of Black’s family, people that often found themselves on the fringes of society – whether from income disparity, disability, religion or sexual orientation.
First is his grandmother, Cokie, the wife to an alcoholic and mother to seven children, armed only with a fifth-grade education. She and her husband are two of the only white sharecroppers in segregated Lake Providence, Louisiana, in the 1940s and are barely scrapping by.
Next his is mother, Rose Anna who was three-years-old she was stricken with polio and spent more than a decade in multiple facilities, sometimes facing antiquated and inhuman practices that almost killed her, before making it back home in her late-teens.
Determined for a better life she set off for college with dreams of becoming a physician, and that’s where the trajectory of her life changed forever. I could go on and on about Rose Anna’s life but that would ruin the joy in discovering it for yourself.
Let’s just say her story involves converting to Mormonism; having children despite the medical risks; an abusive second marriage arranged by the Mormon church; building a successful career with the military; and courtship with a handsome, younger military officer.
Despite her hardships, Rose Anna never let life get her down. In fact, she thrived after every setback. Her resilience, courage and love shine through the pages, and Black writes (and narrates) with a cinematic flair that keeps you hooked.
About halfway through “Mama’s Boy,” the story pivots to focus almost solely on Black, and the early days of his career in gay Los Angeles in the mid-90s.
While an interesting coming out and behind the scenes Hollywood story, these chapters felt disconnected from the broader narrative, which is strange because it’s Black’s memoir, but his mother is the heart of the story.
When they do start to intersect again – specifically after his coming out which left their relationship icy for a period of time – the subtitle “A Story From Our Americas” starts to take shape.
The last third of the book is almost a manifesto of sorts, with Black using the acceptance of his sexuality from his military-loving, religious and deeply conservative mother as a call-to-action for us all to be more open-minded and forgiving.
Black straddled two mostly disparate worlds almost his entire life. He’s been successful by building bridges that allowed him to advocate for himself and others in a way that was more organic, and I’ll say, impactful from the “you’re either with me or against me” attitude of modern politics and social change.
Easily one of my top books of 2021.
mallorycbrown's review against another edition
5.0
Read this book. Learn while you read it. Look inward while you read it. Cry while you read it. Feel hope while you read it.