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disabledbookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
fae_bae's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
wandering_canuck's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
1.5
Carceral. I was so intrigued by this book and couldn't wait to pick it up. Sadly, I was left underwhelmed. My review is not a commentary on the author's life story or the importance of the topics he covers. Rather, it's for the disjointed and repetitive prose. Carceral.
I listened to the audio version of this book and found my mind wandering throughout. Aside from a few key ideas, I'm unable to remember much about the book at all. I feel the author's intent was to sound poetic, but I couldn't help but feel like I was listening to a poorly written sociology dissertation. I didn't count, but the overuse of the word carceral is bordering on torture. I didn't count, but I am certain it appeared 100+ times - in a 300 page book!
I wanted to like this, I really did. But you it took all my resolve to not DNF the thing. Carceral.
I listened to the audio version of this book and found my mind wandering throughout. Aside from a few key ideas, I'm unable to remember much about the book at all. I feel the author's intent was to sound poetic, but I couldn't help but feel like I was listening to a poorly written sociology dissertation. I didn't count, but the overuse of the word carceral is bordering on torture. I didn't count, but I am certain it appeared 100+ times - in a 300 page book!
I wanted to like this, I really did. But you it took all my resolve to not DNF the thing. Carceral.
jaymoonneyyy's review against another edition
3.0
Coming of age story that highlights intersectionality and conflict between race, religion, gender, sexuality and other identities. Well written and poignant story of a young boy growing up. 3.5
kellymariez's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
11corvus11's review against another edition
4.0
This has been on my shelf a while and finally got around to it. It started a bit rough for me because the info was interesting, but I found the writing to be choppy and some analyses too short and too repetitive. But as this book progressed I really enjoyed it. Entries at the end about harm and punishment were the best. Might write more later.
adb219's review against another edition
2.0
Did not finish. I really wanted to love this book, it seemed like such a compelling story and I was interested in learning about the author’s perspective on life as a Black, Hindu, queer man in America. Maybe I didn’t get far enough but it was just not keeping me hooked. It just came across as very angry, bitter, and resentful which as a Black woman in America I understand, but we have to try and find some source of joy in this world to make it. Idk it was just very negative. Also I was so tired of the use of the word “carceral” it literally seems like it’s on every other page. Maybe I’ll try to come back and finish one day but for now this just wasn’t it for me.
kenzieniiixhike's review against another edition
I will not rate a memoir ever. memoirs are a special type of literature that i cannot speak on. these are peoples experiences. this one had such a beautiful dance between political commentary and personal experience. it was a lot of comments on political atmosphere, but that’s what happens when you grow up black. the two are so intertwined that they are the same. this book does a fantastic job at showing that without being too in your face.