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theythemsam's review against another edition
3.25
I wish Darnell spoke more about his role in the BLM movement and LBTQ+ rights in Newark
the_mickstape's review against another edition
4.0
A transformative journey through the process of self actualization. Darnell Moore has mastered the art of recounting his memories in a way that is both personally vulnerable and objectively human. He’s a lyrical storyteller that bravely uses his own experiences as the jumping off point to a call to action. In his story of coming home to himself, I reflected on my own. I recommend listening to the audiobook because Darnell’s speaking voice adds another layer of bare authenticity.
kyanitecourage's review against another edition
5.0
So important. So full of love and ache and hurt and healing and more love. Deals primarily with Darnell's younger years (not that he's very old at all), from childhood to college years.
carlywhetstone's review against another edition
5.0
A heartbreaking memoir from a gay black man in Camden, NJ who tells an excellent and honest story of his life. Born to teenage parents, Darnell suffers through poverty, racism, classism, and homophobia. He grows up to be an advocate to those around him, preaching love and acceptance. A great book. I listened to it told by the author and loved it all the more hearing him get to tell his own story. Would recommend to anyone.
askmashka's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
cheezvshcrvst's review against another edition
4.0
As a reader that doesn’t often delve into the memoir section of anyone’s library or collection, I have to nod for this one. Moore tells his story with a deliberate and firm love, clarity of purpose, and appreciation for the lives that shaped his own. This is definitely worth a read and certainly a story that we need to hear: we should be able to access and read more black and gay and loving voices.
alexblackreads's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Moore weaves his personal story of growing up black and queer in a predominantly black and working poor neighborhood with discussions on race, class, sexuality, and gender. He discusses the violence he experienced growing up with an abusive father, and the grief he felt when he learned of the man's death after having no contact with him for years. He discusses the prejudice and self hate he experienced as a man who loved other men, and specifically a black man who loved other black men.
He's done a great deal of self reflection and you can see how much he's changed just by what he shares here. He shares not only the prejudice he experienced from others, but also his own prejudice and his growth. He was a boy who was nearly set on fire for appearing gay, and yet still mocked other boys for appearing too effeminate. And he is an adult who grew from this and works to repair the harm from systemic prejudice.
The writing is gorgeous. This is his only book and I hope he writes more, both because he has such wonderful insight and also because I love the way he uses language. I listened to this via audiobook and I really wish I'd picked it up physically to experience his written word. His speaking voice is great, but I'd love the chance to pause on particularly powerful sentences and reread some sections.
This was wonderful. I highly recommend if you enjoy memoirs or if you're looking for books on the intersectionality of race and sexuality.
He's done a great deal of self reflection and you can see how much he's changed just by what he shares here. He shares not only the prejudice he experienced from others, but also his own prejudice and his growth. He was a boy who was nearly set on fire for appearing gay, and yet still mocked other boys for appearing too effeminate. And he is an adult who grew from this and works to repair the harm from systemic prejudice.
The writing is gorgeous. This is his only book and I hope he writes more, both because he has such wonderful insight and also because I love the way he uses language. I listened to this via audiobook and I really wish I'd picked it up physically to experience his written word. His speaking voice is great, but I'd love the chance to pause on particularly powerful sentences and reread some sections.
This was wonderful. I highly recommend if you enjoy memoirs or if you're looking for books on the intersectionality of race and sexuality.