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nuhafariha's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Thanks Knopf and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available May 28th 2024.
Searing and vulnerable, KB Brookins' Pretty is an exploration of what it means to be a Black trans male in the American South today. Told through prose essays and bursts of poetry, the memoir follows KB from childhood in Fort Worth to adulthood in Austin, TX. Alongside personal experiences, KB meditates on a range of subjects such as hospital care for trans people, working in the nonprofit industry, and pursuing an MFA. One of the most powerful parts of this book was when KB takes accountability for past abusive behavior - it showed true vulnerability with the audience.
Available May 28th 2024.
Searing and vulnerable, KB Brookins' Pretty is an exploration of what it means to be a Black trans male in the American South today. Told through prose essays and bursts of poetry, the memoir follows KB from childhood in Fort Worth to adulthood in Austin, TX. Alongside personal experiences, KB meditates on a range of subjects such as hospital care for trans people, working in the nonprofit industry, and pursuing an MFA. One of the most powerful parts of this book was when KB takes accountability for past abusive behavior - it showed true vulnerability with the audience.
mistressviolet's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Written from a transmasculine nonbinary perspective, this memoir is an exploration of what it means to grow up Black and queer. Very raw, authentic, and thought provoking, with an incredible amount of illuminating information, including a lot of good commentary on socially ascribed gender roles—with particular emphasis on Black expectations—and the difficulties involved in growing up/being trans.
Eye-opening in the extreme.
nordstina's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty is a raw and moving memoir by KB Brookins, a Black trans poet. They highlight the intersections between race, gender, and size. They were adopted relatively young and much of their childhood in Texas is spent in the church. Much of their community revolved around the church, but they were consistently being told they were not acting enough like a girl. KB is sexually abused starting at a very young age, which is not acknowledged by others. Interspersed throughout this memoir are poems. As Brookins is a poet, these are a great addition to the overall arch of the book. While much of the book is focused on their interactions with the world, they also highlight challenges going through the world as a fat, black, trans individual. Each identity comes with their own oppression and stereotypes. They talk about how the publishing world is not properly highlighting these stories and individuals. They write about how masculinity is embodied by others and how it is learned. A moving (and frustrating section) is about them trying to navigate the world of reproductive health as someone who still needs to see a ob/gyn- are there gender specific bathrooms? no, I am calling for an appointment for myself. That is my legal name, but please use my preferred name (and still proceeds to be called by their dead name). It is infuriating, but not surprising.
Thank you to Knopf via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.
Thank you to Knopf via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.
balletbookworm's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I moved this up the TBR from my May list because of the #transrightsreadathon, polished it off at the beginning of April.
An incredibly sharp, incisive memoir about being a Black, non-binary, transmasc person in a world where the only acceptable way to be - if AFAB - is hyperfeminine, cishet female and the "right" kind of Black girl. And how that norm is enforced for KB even before they're old enough to understand or articulate their internal sense of self. A really standout chapter is where KB, now in college and identifying as a Butch Lesbian around then, discusses how internalized toxic masculinity colored the way they treated their girlfriend at the time. And I had never thought of it that way, but it makes so much sense. KB is so emotionally honest in this chapter, recognizing the ways that "masculinity" has harmed them but how they perpetuated that harm in an unexpected way and are working to undo within them.
<blockquote>"Pretty as in the softest form of me possible, a personality that is as silky as the shirts I now search for in thrift stores."</blockquote>
An incredibly sharp, incisive memoir about being a Black, non-binary, transmasc person in a world where the only acceptable way to be - if AFAB - is hyperfeminine, cishet female and the "right" kind of Black girl. And how that norm is enforced for KB even before they're old enough to understand or articulate their internal sense of self. A really standout chapter is where KB, now in college and identifying as a Butch Lesbian around then, discusses how internalized toxic masculinity colored the way they treated their girlfriend at the time. And I had never thought of it that way, but it makes so much sense. KB is so emotionally honest in this chapter, recognizing the ways that "masculinity" has harmed them but how they perpetuated that harm in an unexpected way and are working to undo within them.
<blockquote>"Pretty as in the softest form of me possible, a personality that is as silky as the shirts I now search for in thrift stores."</blockquote>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
This is a memoir of KB learning about themselves, about who they are as a Black, non-binary, transmasc person in a world where that is Not Allowed, particularly in the Black church, and there are a number of instances of homophobia and queerphobia on the page. KB alludes to being sexually assaulted by older boys as a child. This is not overtly described nor does it take place on page, but (obviously) it impacts a lot of their life.ginny23's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book has a unique structure. It’s part memoir, part poetry and part social commentary/essay about life as a Black trans masculine person. My biggest takeaway about this book is that there need to be more books written by, about and for Black Trans folks. KB is an undeniably talented writer. I appreciated how freely they shared their mistakes and their journey to becoming the person they are today. I believe KB largely wrote this book to help those who are living similar difficult lives in communities that invalidate, ignore and harm them. Everyone should read this book in order to be a better person. Black trans folks should read it to feel and be seen and for emotional support.
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