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the_true_monroe's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
I am going to start off by saying this review is coming from someone who knew of Boy George only by name, prior to listening to this book which can play a large factor in my experience.
Karma not only covers decades of Boy George’s life and relationships, but captures so much history in music and queer culture as well.
I listened to the audiobook and feel like I would have rated this lower if I read a print copy, because hearing memoirs read by the author adds so much to the experience for me.
He tells his story so sincerely and with great vulnerability, as well as accountability (for the most part *). There is so much gossip but it is mostly addressing already existing gossip from his perspective and experiences which is valid. And he makes it clear that the people he talks about, he is talking about from his own experiences he can recall with them and how they may be similar to or different from the general consensus.
*As much support there is for trans people in this book though, this is where it feels a little overly defensive and lacking accountability as there is still transphobia- specifically towards nonbinary people like Sam Smith (which is honestly common even within the trans community). He continuously emphasizes his advocacy in support for trans people and disgust over anti-trans policies and violence, even acknowledging there is no one way to be trans, and then he misgenders Sam Smith the entire time and avoids referring to the nonbinary community directly (indirectly, he is dismissive and invalidating of them).
I am glad I listened to this as part of a StoryGraph challenge. I have started to listen to more celebrities share their stories as the media runs wild with publishing rumors, gossip and unverified or biased stories, and celebrities deserve this opportunity to tell their sides of things, add context, and separate or link the different parts of themselves and their lives however they want to.
Karma not only covers decades of Boy George’s life and relationships, but captures so much history in music and queer culture as well.
I listened to the audiobook and feel like I would have rated this lower if I read a print copy, because hearing memoirs read by the author adds so much to the experience for me.
He tells his story so sincerely and with great vulnerability, as well as accountability (for the most part *). There is so much gossip but it is mostly addressing already existing gossip from his perspective and experiences which is valid. And he makes it clear that the people he talks about, he is talking about from his own experiences he can recall with them and how they may be similar to or different from the general consensus.
*As much support there is for trans people in this book though, this is where it feels a little overly defensive and lacking accountability as there is still transphobia- specifically towards nonbinary people like Sam Smith (which is honestly common even within the trans community). He continuously emphasizes his advocacy in support for trans people and disgust over anti-trans policies and violence, even acknowledging there is no one way to be trans, and then he misgenders Sam Smith the entire time and avoids referring to the nonbinary community directly (indirectly, he is dismissive and invalidating of them).
I am glad I listened to this as part of a StoryGraph challenge. I have started to listen to more celebrities share their stories as the media runs wild with publishing rumors, gossip and unverified or biased stories, and celebrities deserve this opportunity to tell their sides of things, add context, and separate or link the different parts of themselves and their lives however they want to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Addiction
Moderate: Violence, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Death, Suicide attempt, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Police brutality
Minor: Racism, Vomit, Antisemitism, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, Pandemic/Epidemic, Sexual content, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
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