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kayleigh214's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
jr2234's review against another edition
4.0
This book was exceptionally written in a stripped down and honest way. Laymon writes candidly about his experiences of being in a large body, his mom’s gambling addiction, his navigation through academia, his relationship with his grandmother, and so many more topics. The recounting of Laymon’s life experiences has a way of sticking with you and burrowing into your brain and psyche. Deeply reflective and heavy. Could be a wonderful pick for deeper discussions in a group with the right individuals.
obvious_lia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Laymon writes about the anti blackness of life in America under white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. He tells us of violence done to bodies, whether by systems, self, or those who love us most. I felt seen in his relationships with food, family, and addiction. I was altered by his words on teaching, writing, and revision. Uniquely compelling and emotional. I didn't have time to stop reading and cry, I had to keep going. Deep gratitude for this book; I can see why it's one of my partner's favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Racism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Islamophobia, Grief, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Alcohol
read_mo's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books that make you think and forces you to reckon with privileges you’ve been given. Kiese is so human and so understandable.
hillysreads's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Body shaming, and Sexual assault
senquezada29's review against another edition
4.0
Laymon is an excellent writer. He is definitely deep and introspective and unafraid to describe in detail his own personal struggles. The book is sprinkled with amazing quotes from both his mother and grandmother who show intelligence that only comes from a lifetime of surviving domestic violence, racism, poverty and addiction. I highly recommend this book. The ending could have been better and it felt as if it was rushed to finish. It could have been more thoroughly developed and tied up some other loose ends, but overall, the book was excellent.
staceface's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
This is one of those memoirs that doesn’t feel right to give a star rating. Pacing-wise, it went from slow to fast to medium for me. It is beautifully written. And it absolutely lives up to its title: it is so, so heavy.