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linzer712's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
ruinedlanguage's review against another edition
This memoir is told in the second person. I’ve always been picky about that point of view. I find it to be the most inclusive and the most accusatory. Hard to pull off.
This definitely pulled it off.
The author deals with his relationship to his body and his relationship to his mother. And the writing he does it with is striking.
Memoirs are difficult. I am obviously never rating the author’s experience, just the way they communicate it. Above all I am rating the consistency of my interest.
Saying that, I really enjoyed the first half. I like beginnings, the newness of everything. And the chapters revolving around his grandmother were my absolute favourites.
The middle didn’t grip me as much but as a whole I’m glad I finished it, and I remember it better than I do most things I’ve read and then never interacted with again.
There is one quote that I think about very regularly:
“I didn’t try to hurt you,” you told me the last time we spoke. “I don’t remember hurting you as much as you remember being hurt, Kie. I’m not saying it didn’t happen. I’m just saying I don’t remember everything the way you do.”
I still believe you.
This definitely pulled it off.
The author deals with his relationship to his body and his relationship to his mother. And the writing he does it with is striking.
Memoirs are difficult. I am obviously never rating the author’s experience, just the way they communicate it. Above all I am rating the consistency of my interest.
Saying that, I really enjoyed the first half. I like beginnings, the newness of everything. And the chapters revolving around his grandmother were my absolute favourites.
The middle didn’t grip me as much but as a whole I’m glad I finished it, and I remember it better than I do most things I’ve read and then never interacted with again.
There is one quote that I think about very regularly:
“I didn’t try to hurt you,” you told me the last time we spoke. “I don’t remember hurting you as much as you remember being hurt, Kie. I’m not saying it didn’t happen. I’m just saying I don’t remember everything the way you do.”
I still believe you.
atran122's review against another edition
4.0
Although it felt disjointed at times for me, there were many parts that simply just hurt to read in the best way, especially in its brutal honesty of those moments.
singem1's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This book left me feeling so many things and took me into the mind, body and heart if this author. He opens himself up fully and it captures the reader.
thoughtsfromtheafro's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
A lot of feelings to relate to in this, as well as the rollercoaster that is desirability, weight loss and weight gain, and a sense of exceptionalism.
solbenedict's review against another edition
5.0
Explains the intersectional existence of domestic and systematic racism
racesq's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
atreegrowsinbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
Wow, I can see why this book has been on so many lists of “best books”. This memoir blew me away. Incredibly heartbreaking and heavy. Laymon is a talented writer and narrator. I think I benefited from listening to the audio version since it’s narrated by the author. Would 100% recommend this but there are a lot of heavy topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Racism
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Gun violence and Police brutality