Reviews

Manifesto by Bernardine Evaristo

bethanydark's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

chocomarce's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This is a memoir that resonates deeply with anyone who’s fought against the odds, especially as a Black person in a world that often overlooks us. Evaristo’s journey—from her working-class background to becoming a celebrated author—speaks to resilience, ambition, and finding one’s voice. As a Black Latin American, her story feels like a reminder that our paths, while challenging, are also filled with possibility. This book is a powerful celebration of pushing forward, no matter what.

vanmeter's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I’m very glad that I read this honest memoir, and got to know more about Bernardine Evaristo’s life, family’s origin, sexuality, and her journey to becoming a writer and a female activist. She’s a very interesting, brave and talented woman who won the Booker Prize at the age of sixty! I was quite surprised by this fact, because most of the people, including myself, didn’t know a lot before her novel [b:Girl, Woman, Other|41081373|Girl, Woman, Other|Bernardine Evaristo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542296262l/41081373._SY75_.jpg|64185267]. Definitely worth checking out.

devikapha's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

michaelontheplanet's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Lives matter: “the written word is how I process everything,” says Bernardine Evaristo, and in Manifesto she makes clear why. A brave life lived with the everyday petty silliness of racism which she keeps well in its place, and marked by activism and generosity as someone who’s done more to help establish Black British writing and Black British writers than almost anyone I can think of. Following her deserved Booker win (it seems extraordinary that she’s the first Black British woman to do so), can official National Treasure status be far behind?

qurratulain0's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

It started off promising but I quickly lost interest and had to force myself not to skip entire chapters.

spoonofnutella_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5

A strong voice allowing us glimpses into her live at various points. I can definitely see this book being more impactful for others, which is completely understandable. 

johanna_pe's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative

3.5

claudianhi's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective medium-paced

christellereadsalot's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I watched the interview with the author by Jackie Kay for the Manchester Literature Festival in November. My reaction then of this interview was "wow". I was in awe of Bernardine Evaristo and wanted to wait a little while before reading her Manifesto so I could appreciate it.

Manifesto on never giving up is the author's powerful and engaging account of how she got to where she is and to become who she is. She tells her story honestly and with humour and talks about cultural inequalities, love, friendships, belonging, activism/feminism, family interactions...

My reaction after reading the book was just the same as after watching her interview back in November. Wow.

This is such a fascinating read, full of positivity and warmth. A must read.