Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

86 reviews

3littlewordz's review against another edition

challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

My God. HEAVY in all ways!! The second person perspective immersed me into the narrative and kept me engrossed, particularly through the painful moments. I wanted to weep for EVERYBODY. The black body was praised, abused, exalted, punished… and it truly reflects reality. Kiese's story is pervasive throughout the black community. And I just want us to HEAL. 

Read this!! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Addiction

pradajones's review against another edition

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Rape, and Racism

Moderate: Xenophobia and Islamophobia

the_flying_delph's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, and Violence

octobermontoya's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Heavy covers a lot of ground: identity, anti-blackness, academia, addiction, complex family relationships, sex, art, and disordered eating. It's funny, sad, honest, uncomfortable, intense, and beautifully written. While the story is chronological, what Laymon does really well is illustrate how learning and healing are anything but linear. I recommend the audio book if you're into that sort of thing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Addiction, Eating disorder, and Body shaming

murryloub's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

One of the most intense books I've ever read. In a way, it reminds me of The Bluest Eye; we didn't 100k out for Black children then, & we still don't now. In this book, it's like watching little Pecola grow into a dysfunctional, self-loathing adult. "Heavy" is exactly what this memoir makes you feel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder and Racism

shoshthemost's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Racism, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse

junosdaughter's review against another edition

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Racism

jaren's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Racism

Moderate: Eating disorder and Addiction

alecxia's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

coderedkira's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.75

The audiobook was excellent, having Laymon read it brought the raw emotions forward and made it incredibly engaging.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Racism, Sexual assault, and Addiction