mdettmann's review against another edition
3.0
There are parts of this memoir that are deeply painful and personal and really hard to read at times. I appreciate Shaun for including content warnings for the suicide and the use of the f-word (the slur, not the curse word). The use of the f-word is explained, but definitely jarring in the first chapter. He even includes another CW before he gets into the part when he tried to take his own life, but then after that part it’s a few page rush to the present. The main part is about his high school and college years, relationships with family and friends, coming out, and dealing with depression. The writing is really good. I really got into the headspace of a young Shaun and all the complicated feelings he was going through. This was an important part of his life to share and it worked for a YA memoir, but I’d also personally love to read more about his adult life and how he came to be a writer.
raeanne's review against another edition
5.0
I don't read biographies or memoirs or non-fiction in general. I finally read my first self-help book this year, which I need to add on here too.
I wasn't sure I'd actually read this, but since it was free on Rivetedlit.com 12/10/19, I decided to try it out.
The Trigger Warnings? LOVE.
The disclaimers about Truth and memory and owning shitty behavior in the beginning won me over.
Then there's the journal entries, which oh my heart. It balances the adult writing the YA POV and cements the reality of Teen Shaun.
And again the trigger warning for the actual suicide attempt.
I was okay reading about the self-harm and crappy angsty poetry, though they did capture how I felt then too perfectly, but I didn't want to risk reading that section.
This one read like a YA book, which really worked for me. I love the casual conversational storytelling style. Including all the facts about pop culture then and now, with hindsight and context.
I've read two of Hutchinson's books before: We Are The Ants and At The End of the Universe. I was one of the few that didn't love We Are The Ants, but I did love At The End of The Universe. For both, the characters, writing, and handling of tough topics were amazing.
This gives me a new appreciation and understanding of his work. I do plan on reading any of them that strikes my fancy in the future.
I wasn't sure I'd actually read this, but since it was free on Rivetedlit.com 12/10/19, I decided to try it out.
The Trigger Warnings? LOVE.
The disclaimers about Truth and memory and owning shitty behavior in the beginning won me over.
Then there's the journal entries, which oh my heart. It balances the adult writing the YA POV and cements the reality of Teen Shaun.
And again the trigger warning for the actual suicide attempt.
I was okay reading about the self-harm and crappy angsty poetry, though they did capture how I felt then too perfectly, but I didn't want to risk reading that section.
This one read like a YA book, which really worked for me. I love the casual conversational storytelling style. Including all the facts about pop culture then and now, with hindsight and context.
I've read two of Hutchinson's books before: We Are The Ants and At The End of the Universe. I was one of the few that didn't love We Are The Ants, but I did love At The End of The Universe. For both, the characters, writing, and handling of tough topics were amazing.
This gives me a new appreciation and understanding of his work. I do plan on reading any of them that strikes my fancy in the future.
c100's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Self harm
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, and Sexual assault
tannerduffy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I don’t think I have ever read a story/memoir/book as personal and honest as this. It never sugarcoats life but it somehow manages to provide a hope for anyone who reads it, just as author Shaun David Hutchinson intended it, for a stranger, a friend, you, and me…
heyscottcurry's review against another edition
4.0
TBH, the tagline of this book should have been "How I am surviving..." because that was one of my biggest takeaways from this book.
I appreciated a lot about this memoir. The 'coming out story' portion is a common story but one we don't hear or read about often enough. It helped me realize that the coming out stories I typically read make me feel comfortable because they're usually more relatable to me. His story was nothing like mine, and that was helpful for my own understanding of how the queer world works because it pushed me out of my little box.
Hutchinson sharing how depression shows up in his life was moving and relatable. And how he managed to 'grow up' despite all of these circumstances deserves applause.
It's hard to judge a memoir on any set of criteria. I will say, the last few chapters of the book were my favorite as Hutchinson speeds through several decades of his life with small glimpses at memories that I'm sure are fascinating stories. Hopefully, he's saving those for a follow-up! :)
I appreciated a lot about this memoir. The 'coming out story' portion is a common story but one we don't hear or read about often enough. It helped me realize that the coming out stories I typically read make me feel comfortable because they're usually more relatable to me. His story was nothing like mine, and that was helpful for my own understanding of how the queer world works because it pushed me out of my little box.
Hutchinson sharing how depression shows up in his life was moving and relatable. And how he managed to 'grow up' despite all of these circumstances deserves applause.
It's hard to judge a memoir on any set of criteria. I will say, the last few chapters of the book were my favorite as Hutchinson speeds through several decades of his life with small glimpses at memories that I'm sure are fascinating stories. Hopefully, he's saving those for a follow-up! :)
one_crazy_eliott's review against another edition
Wasn't vibing with it. It was just bumming me out ig
nosmallthing's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Medical content, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, and Drug use
catbewks's review against another edition
5.0
The hardest book I've ever had the pleasure to read, had to set it down a few times so as not to have a full-on sob fest and meltdown. Reading this book only cemented the huge amount of love and respect I have for this author.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
I have really enjoyed the two fiction novels I've read by Hutchinson. This book about the author's life and his struggle to accept himself and to overcome his depression was a difficult read for me. It felt like a very important book to read yet it seemed to put the reader at a arms length away from the feelings and the trauma that was being described. the ending of the book where Hutchinson talked about his suicide attempt and his slow and uneven recovery was an exception. It was well-done and makes the book worth the read.
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/review-brave-face-how-i-survived.html
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/review-brave-face-how-i-survived.html
benjaminvr's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this was like a punch in the gut. I couldn’t read more than three pages without crying. And as much as I know it is going to hurt, I will write this review, and is going be the last I ever write.