Reviews

Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging by Afua Hirsch

seclement's review

4.0

This book is well written and engaging. It will make you think and it will affirm your beliefs if you are, like me, a liberal, middle class, educated person. Though it contains some facts, it really is an autobiography/memoir interwoven with supporting stories of others and some facts. If categorised as non-fiction or sociology, it doesn't quite measure up. But as part of the genre of social commentary or memoirs, it is a work of art. Beautifully told and insightful, beneficial not just for those that struggle with racial or ethnic identity, but also those who, like me, live in a place where you are readily identifiable as an 'other' ...a shibboleth. This, however, is my main criticism. The book underplays the privilege of class and education, even whilst acknowledging her own (let's face it... extreme) privilege in that regard, and borders on obsession with the idea that struggles of race and identity are 'the real' struggle of modern Britain. She has had so many advantages in life, and though she acknowledges those throughout and tries to bring in people who grew up without those advantages, I felt that the book really needed more information and more commentary on people for whom an obsession with identity is perhaps something they might have developed, if it weren't for the fact that the very tangible struggles they face in daily life tend to preoccupy them. I agree with others that, at times, it seems she tries a bit too hard to speak for all non-white people in this book, and one could walk away with the impression that her level of interest and indefatigable search for identity is typical of all non-white British people. She does at one point border on acknowledging this isn't the case by using some survey data, but she stops short of admitting that the extent of her fixation is perhaps beyond the norm. That said, this book was incredibly insightful, especially for me as an immigrant to this country who can clearly see the racial tensions but feels like no one really wants to talk about it. It's as though it's 'unseemly' and 'unBritish', even though there are passive aggressive (and even outright aggressive) acts and words that characterise everyday life in this country. It's in this area where Hirsch knocks it out of the park and sheds light on the dark areas of British society. Some of the material is repetitive of Olusoga's Black and British, and I recommend you read that book if you want a factual account of how we got here today. Brit(ish), on the other hand, is less a historical or factual account, but rather an informed testimonial about where we are and how it affects real people, along with some facts about current conditions and how we may have arrived here. The chapter on Brexit is a bit tired and one-sided, but that's just because I have read so many things claiming to explain the vote that I can see how a person's views clearly affects the facts they choose to highlight. Otherwise, I think the book is well worth a read for British people and those, like me, who find themselves in a country where 'otherness' is so clearly a massive driving force and yet no one will talk about it. While I am still not quite sure where this book sits in terms of genres, if this book is to serve as a conversation starter, as she says at the very end, then I think she succeeds in that, even if I am not entirely convinced that the book as written will reach those who really need to hear its messages.

vickylbedford's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

chichi_22's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

4.25

ijbutcher's review against another edition

4.5

An eye opening read, especially for a white foster carer to mixed race children.
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readingbowls's review

4.0

Very interesting and insightful book from a perspective different from my own. One of the best books on racism and intersectional feminism that I have personally read.

I am grateful for the insight this book provides. We still have a long way to go.

bonniew's review

5.0

I consumed this as an audiobook and there's something special about the author reading their book, just as they had hoped it would be heard.
A story of belonging and ever trying to find it. I love books like this taking you into someone else's experience. A great dissembling of why it is not beneficial "not to see race" and the society we live in today.

nickynak3's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

carlokunubi's review

5.0

An important book for those who don’t feel like their excepted in the mythos of white Britain. Afua uses her experience as a beacon, to shine light on Britain’s issue with race and her dissection of the problems of Britain’s myopia is exquisite.

I recommend this highly for anyone.

beesteele's review

5.0

Wow, wow, wow. This book exceeded all my expectations, which were already high. I went into this book extremely interested but could never have prepared myself for how thought provoking Afua Hirsch's writing would prove to be.

I am an American living in the UK. I am very familiar, of course, with the US's history, but I am nowhere near as familiar with the UK's, so I thought it would be great to learn about the history of race and the role it plays in Britain. This book did not disappoint. I found myself constantly thinking about the stories told and the points made in Hirsch's essays. They were never condescending or judgmental; rather, Hirsch was able to approach the subject matter, which is deeply personal to her, through the lens of a journalist. The book was moving and, well, just incredible.

I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come. People everywhere should read it, but it should be required reading to live in the UK.

santersgrotto's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0