Reviews

My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson

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golem's review

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4.5

Wonderful intertwining of civil rights and AIDS activism histories with lots of sex and suspense.

wanderlust_romance's review against another edition

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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

meghan8715's review

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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

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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

icanreadish's review

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fast-paced

4.5

An enjoyable, hardy read with an interesting mix of history and fiction. I loved all the footnotes with explanations of important people, places, organizations and events in queer history.