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aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
This is an articulate and brave memoir in which the author shares her experiences growing up black and privileged in Chicago during the 50s and 60s. She is a journalist who does not shy away from the hard questions and difficult analysis of how race influences options, choices, and outcomes for herself and others.
jennschrauben's review
3.0
She gives a clear and unique point of view. But, I felt that I was kept at arm's length. I think that kept me from latching on.
alaiyo0685's review against another edition
2.0
I hate saying this about someone's literal life, but this was boring. The audiobook is only 8 hours and felt like a slog to get through.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to the audiobook, narrated by Robin Miles. Miles's reading perfectly matched the author's detached, ironic tone with strong feeling underneath.
One of those both/and books - memoir and social commentary and a little bit of history for background.
One of those both/and books - memoir and social commentary and a little bit of history for background.
rwlongino's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a rare and beautiful book. Jefferson delves into the tension of being black and upper class, a topic that is rarely examined in the circles I find myself in. I admire her writing style, even though I struggled to follow it at times. Her commentary on the privilege of depression and suicide is profound.
kmatthe2's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating memoir addressing a facet of black history/identity/culture discussed not as often as some others—the black bourgeoisie. Jefferson tackles it in all of its complexity, refusing the easy narratives that are often foisted upon it by either uplift or nationalist narratives. The memoir's style mirrors Margo's "growing up" even as it challenges conventional expectations of memoir. An important addition.
sbelasco40's review against another edition
4.0
So glad I got the audiobook of this from the library after I had to return the actual book so I could finish it! The language was even more vivid when read aloud. This is a fascinating and challenging read about a subject not often tackled elsewhere. Jefferson does not pull punches or suffer fools.
katy82's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't finish it. I give up. I really wanted to love it. And it's not that I don't get why people have praised this one, I do. It's half memoir half EXTREMELY important history that desperately needs to be told. I just couldn't get into. The prose didn't grab me. It's shallow to say, I know but there you have it.
danielleliss's review against another edition
3.0
I'm in agreement with some of the other reviews in terms of the structure. I wonder if this would have been better in non-audio format.
cdmcc's review against another edition
4.0
So, I'm not sure if it's because a title like Negroland scares the shit out of White America, but it's really annoying that this book didn't attract as much attention as Between the World and Me. Ta-Nehisi Coates deserves every drop of praise that came to him for his outstanding work, but this one exists too. Jefferson gives new meaning to the term 'memoir' here - it's not always clear if this is a book meant for public consumption, or if it's for her alone - and the writing is all the more exciting for it.