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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
A really brilliant and creative recollection of the lives of 7 Black gay men in mid-to-late twentieth century Britain. Okundaye’s community centred methodology and holistic approach really made this book what it was & through his experiences, I got to learn about stalwarts in an otherwise underappreciated and historically demonised community.
My only frustration is the use of the phrase “Black Gay Britain”, when the book only really speaks about London (the centre of the world 🙄) and with a smattering of Yorkshire, Huddersfield, Manchester & Leicester. But, these places very much sit on the margins of this ‘British’ history as they all escaped their ‘small towns’ for the ‘big city’ - what about those who didn’t ‘escape’?
My only frustration is the use of the phrase “Black Gay Britain”, when the book only really speaks about London (the centre of the world 🙄) and with a smattering of Yorkshire, Huddersfield, Manchester & Leicester. But, these places very much sit on the margins of this ‘British’ history as they all escaped their ‘small towns’ for the ‘big city’ - what about those who didn’t ‘escape’?
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This was an excellent audiobook. So well researched and informative on a subject that has previously not had much attention. Even though it tackles some serious topics Okundaye still manages to have fun with the it and you can feel the rapport he built with the men he interviewed for the book. An excellent example of what an oral history can be.
Well written, really interesting content, I’m just shit at Reading and enjoying non fiction!
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Educational but also personal and mixed with an appropriate amount of emotion that had me invested with what each interviewee was talking about, as someone who is not black or gay. Really learned a lot and loved reading about other peoples' stories.
This is so beautiful aaah! Love how Okundaye uses individual stories to talk about the wider history of the 80's London black gay scene. It's a beautiful portrayal that doesn't try to be exhaustive but captures a broad picture about parties, love, memories, sickness, racism (especially inside the gay community itself!), identity, brotherhood, activism, etc.
This book feels alive. It's human in a way that not all non-fiction books want, or manage, to do. The way these men, and this community, are all interconnected, is very touching.
Okundaye's approach to writing is truly wonderful! I feel like I've learned so much. And it reminded me of the importance of community and archives!
This book feels alive. It's human in a way that not all non-fiction books want, or manage, to do. The way these men, and this community, are all interconnected, is very touching.
Okundaye's approach to writing is truly wonderful! I feel like I've learned so much. And it reminded me of the importance of community and archives!
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Loved this. Written with such tenderness and affinity with the people and their stories. Feels as though this should be essential reading.