Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib

5 reviews

imstephtacular's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25

This is one of those books that I don’t feel smart enough to read and I mean that as a compliment. The poetry and criticism are so sharp and deep and wholly human. The stories are horrifying and harrowing but also hopeful and fascinating. I learned a ton and I know these essays are going to haunt me for days to come 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lilybear3's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I wish I had read this book earlier.  I don't have a lot of words to describe this experience.  In short, it was incredible and it is a must-read for everyone.  Abdurraqib's writing is beautiful and accessible.  There is so much emotion, it is impossible to keep it all in while reading.  He has inspired me to think about the ways music has impacted and interwoven itself in my life. 

You don't have to have heard all of the artists, albums, and songs he mentions to read his essays, but I feel it might help.  He gives readers the vibe of his references and it's pretty easy to understand how the music fits in the context.  It will certainly open the doors to new-to-you music.  I listened to Carly Rae Jepsen's Emotion after reading the first essay on it and, again, why did I wait so long to listen?  

His stories and experiences on being black in the United States are a number of things: difficult, informative, joyful.  Empathy is one of the most important feelings to be human.  I read the 5th anniversary edition, the first edition was published in 2017.  He writes on the turbulent year of 2016 and shortly after.  What he has to say in this book continues to be relevant in 2023.

As a person who resides in the Columbus area, it was interesting to learn about Columbus through his perspective.  I don't know a lot about the city, I've been here a little over a year and half.  But knowing Columbus isn't a requirement, just a little perk.

I look forward to reading more of his work.  I cannot recommend this book enough.  It might be cliche to say, but my life was changed by this book.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

caseythereader's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful relaxing sad medium-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

yro's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

It was a good read, although it took me a while to read it, but i feel like this book will be more “understood”(?) in a perspective of some who lived through those times.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

cannnned's review

Go to review page

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

This is a great book; Abdurraqib  weaves a thought-provoking narrative through music reviews and personal stories. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...