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silbs's review
5.0
This book deeply resonated with me. Maybe it was because I just read The Color of the Law? (which probably made this memoir more real and intense in my brain) But all I can say is that this was worth reading. I love how Coates writes. The fluidity, the emotion, and the details. For me, it was almost like poetry. And at the same time, it surprised me with the amount of sociological thought embedded in it. For such a short book, it packs so much!
dcunitz's review against another edition
5.0
"If the streets shackled my right leg, the schools shackled my left."
wogslandwriter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Coates is eloquent and visceral with his writing while also not abandoning AAVE for the King's English. The audiobook is read by the author and he does a phenomenal job. He is a great speaker and writer. It is a short book that I plan to read again because I know I will get more out of it. I am certain I missed things in the nuance and depth of his words that I just am not able to or ready to full understand right now.
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Classism, Hate crime, Colonisation, Racism, Slavery, and Police brutality
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
Minor: Cannibalism, Bullying, and Alcohol
bluemondayy's review against another edition
4.0
"Perhaps there has been, at some point in history, some great power whose elevation was exempt from the violent exploitation of other human bodies. If there has been, I have yet to discover it. But this banality of violence can never excuse America, because America makes no claim to the banal. America believes itself exceptional, the greatest and noblest nation ever to exist, a long champion standing between the white city of democracy and the terrorists, despots, barbarians, and other enemies of civilization. One cannot, at once, claim to be superhuman and then plead mortal error."
Powerful on a micro and macro level.
Powerful on a micro and macro level.
dizzyizzyy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
tess98's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.0