Reviews

Citizen: An American Lyric, by Claudia Rankine

eshults11's review

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

4.0

aaloysiusbenz's review

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5.0

I listened to the audiobook version and want to give an additional five stars to Allyson Johnson's top-notch narration.

pbeeandj's review

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5.0

A beautiful collection about, among other things, the weight of racism on the mind and body.

luelle_'s review against another edition

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challenging fast-paced

3.0

katrinky's review

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4.0

"Unbearable, but must be borne."

steds's review

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5.0

As audiobook. Stunning.

leandrathetbrzero's review

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challenging dark informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

An insightful, quick read that blends essay elements with poetry prose. Claudia Rankine forces the reader to consider the various forms of racism, oppression, and prejudice that a black person must endure, from micro aggressions to physical violence. I read this as an academic reading requirement, and I am so grateful. It was such a thought-provoking read for me. Highly recommended! 

stephjl's review

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a masterwork if poetry and prose (we all know that). i’m glad I finally picked this up. though its not my place to curate the list, but I’m sure this belongs as should be required reading for white people (particularly white americans).

jg12389's review

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3.0

This short book reads like poetry. Really good!

ufcasey's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars

This was a quick audiobook (only 1.5 hours long) and yet some parts kept my attention more than others. Surprisingly the part I liked the best was about Serena Williams and tennis - a sport I have never followed or played. The snapshots of various small acts of racism delivered with intros like "You're next in line at the grocery store..." or "You're eating lunch with a co-worker..." stood out for me also. I'd suggest the audiobook, it brings the whole thing more to life than just reading it would.