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elliottsara94's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence, Racial slurs, Racism, and Death
effect3cause's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The co-author is what makes Punching the Air stand out from others. Yusef Salaam, one of the Central Park Five, co-authored this novel to show the corruption in the system and inspire those who would fight for change. In that way, Punching the Air is probably the purest form of this oft-told story - an author speaks from lived experience.
The thing that made this book less enjoyable for me has less to do with the book or its authors. Specifically, I didn’t enjoy the narrator. Without seeing a physical copy, I am left to assume that this book was written in prose and the narrator reads it like poetry. The dialogue is very slowly spoken, and there are significant pauses at the end of every sentence. For a short poem, this type of narration works. For a full length novel, it got exhausting very quickly. Perhaps with a different mirror, I would’ve enjoyed it more. But regardless of whether or not I enjoyed it, I deeply respect it and I am grateful to the authors for sharing the story.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racial slurs
This book contains strong themes of systematic racism. The book’s protagonist self-identifies as both Black and Muslim.amradio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Wasn't expecting the book to end when it did so I was a bit disappointed (reading from my ereader) and it felt a little abrupt because of that
Otherwise it was a solid read, not my most favorite book but not a bad one probably in the middle ranking star wise
I do love how they use art throughout the book
I will also say
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Confinement and Classism
rosie722's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Violence
daffodildyke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a powerful story of hope and the experience of young black men in particular in the prison system. But it is also about hope - the authors say that in the authors note too - Amal is the main character and Amal’s name literally means hope.
I am so glad I was able to listen to this in audiobook form because I think so much of its power is being read aloud, and the rhythm and flow of the words was done such justice by the narrator.
The fact this story is inspired by true events, the style with which it managed to balance hope and the power of art and creativity with the brutality and cruelty of racism, of racist institutions and the prison industrial complex is masterful.
I feel like I would have given it 5 stars aside from the fact I felt like the ending was too abrupt and came too soon considering. I imagine this was intentional, but as a narrative it left me wanting more and needing to know conclusions that we do not get.
Overall, an impeccable read that I would recommend to anyone, but especially to white people because Amal’s story is a gentle, lyrical but hard hitting account of the struggles in a racist society and we owe everyone who suffers under that to educate ourselves!
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Police brutality
mandkips's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Confinement, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Slavery
kryskross's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Police brutality
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
zoboi and salaam masterfully use the verse form to their advantage, visually depicting the oppressiveness and sense of being trapped deeply felt by amal and many black boys and men everywhere under the american prison industrial complex. how the system and the white ppl who both consciously and inadvertently uphold it are illustrated w/ nuance and a keen eye, their ignorance and racism so ingrained they arent even aware of the power of their words or actions, and all of it maddening esp in the juvie setting. this book's also abt art and its power, and the structure and incorporation of drawing and many visual elements rly complement the aforementioned themes.
tbh the novel's content and msg arent anything unfamiliar, but i think what truly makes it unique is the whole absorbing experience the one feels reading it. the emotions it evokes are near total, and one feels strongly connected to amal and what he's going thru. perhaps the fact that salaam himself has been thru the very same thing as amal has sth to do w/ it, and he's able to channel it all very well here.
overall, this is a very emotionally absorbing and powerful book. it's not rly plot-heavy but its form and structure are surprisingly effective and impactful.
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Confinement, and Police brutality
Moderate: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Violence
space_bandit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts