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awkblackgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Darnell L. Moore has blessed us with such a beautiful, brilliant memoir that offers an important telling of what it means to grow up Black, male, poor and gay in Camden- a place historically and presently rejected and brutalized by the state. He uses eloquent prose to weave together a narrative that gives voice to what it means to hide in plain sight, exist on the edges of margins while searching for identity in dark places, and fight for freedom despite the gasoline doused on you. In this book I found a gripping story of trauma, longing, reckoning, and intense Black love that left me profoundly moved. It is a book about unbreaking and unlearning, about leaning into healing and hope. A must read for anyone wanting to better understand how racism, homophobia and patriarchy intersect to form the conditions that make life as Black queer person particularly vulnerable.
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
iamdeonna's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this read/listen and saw myself in some of Darnell Moore's words. Glad I picked this up.
lunabbly's review against another edition
5.0
I love reading memoirs and Darnell's was truly exceptional. He moves us through his life, interweaving emotional reflections and learnings and offering free lessons for men to love themselves to avoid harming the ones they love and especially women and trans folks in their lives who uplift them and teach them about love, care, and empathy. I'm recommending this book to every man of color I know because there are so many rich lessons that Darnell offers about love, forgiveness, and accountability.
Since I myself have a difficult relationship with my father, Darnell's ability to let go of the hate and despite for his father long before his father passed, struck many chords for me. While I'm not at the emotional stability nor willingness to let go, I will hold this lesson close to my heart for a long time. He wrote that his last words to his father were wishes for his father to fly. It was a moving demonstration of Darnell's emotional growth in being able to let go of the atrocities his father committed from nearly beating his mother to death to asking him for money after he picked up him at a bus stop in the middle of the night rather than apologizing for being a terrible parent. I appreciated Darnell's realness in expressing what his dialogue could have been versus what it was as I often go through that too.
Overall, highly recommend, especially the beginning chapters through college!
Since I myself have a difficult relationship with my father, Darnell's ability to let go of the hate and despite for his father long before his father passed, struck many chords for me. While I'm not at the emotional stability nor willingness to let go, I will hold this lesson close to my heart for a long time. He wrote that his last words to his father were wishes for his father to fly. It was a moving demonstration of Darnell's emotional growth in being able to let go of the atrocities his father committed from nearly beating his mother to death to asking him for money after he picked up him at a bus stop in the middle of the night rather than apologizing for being a terrible parent. I appreciated Darnell's realness in expressing what his dialogue could have been versus what it was as I often go through that too.
Overall, highly recommend, especially the beginning chapters through college!
mqjones86's review against another edition
5.0
Darnell Moore wrote a text that invoked a level of empathy that is often lacking in humanity. I appreciate this work and the many lessons he presented through his life’s journey thus far. It was highly relatable and as I reflect on this text, I know this will only encourage me to be my best self, daily. He showed up every time no matter what was going on and that’s a powerful understated theme. Excellent read!
tracithomas's review against another edition
4.0
Darnell Moore is such a generous and lush writer. His vulnerability is a gift to his reader. The start and end of this book are so strong. The middle couldn’t keep up. This book is a brilliant reminder at the need yo love all Black folks unconditionally. So powerful.
kollegegrad09's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
classic's review against another edition
3.0
This book left me with an appreciation for the author as an activist.
His stance and scope are not things I always personally find myself agreeing with. I could sense the gripping fear that came with his place within society through this memoir. And that is something that lingers as I think about this book. It leaves an impactful takeaway.
The heterosexual black women in this book and his attitudes or ability to ignore such a remarkably present demographic is a bit disconcerting. It felt as if black women when mentioned were victims of abuse, sometimes his own even such as when he talks about using his girlfriends for money.
It was kind of sad that I didn’t hear about positive things heterosexual blacks have contributed to the movement- or his life in general (excluding his family members).
I do wish more about the Black Lives Matter movement would have been explored. Certainly there is triumph in his place within the movement. Surely there is acceptance and not always pushback. Otherwise we would not be reading his book.
His stance and scope are not things I always personally find myself agreeing with. I could sense the gripping fear that came with his place within society through this memoir. And that is something that lingers as I think about this book. It leaves an impactful takeaway.
The heterosexual black women in this book and his attitudes or ability to ignore such a remarkably present demographic is a bit disconcerting. It felt as if black women when mentioned were victims of abuse, sometimes his own even such as when he talks about using his girlfriends for money.
It was kind of sad that I didn’t hear about positive things heterosexual blacks have contributed to the movement- or his life in general (excluding his family members).
I do wish more about the Black Lives Matter movement would have been explored. Certainly there is triumph in his place within the movement. Surely there is acceptance and not always pushback. Otherwise we would not be reading his book.