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eliasaurus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
This book is profound and deeply moving. The way the author weaves his survival of the Pulse tragedy with his experiences of growing up Black and gay is incredibly compelling and gives an important glimpse into the lived day-to-day reality of minorities in America.
There are a few sections that jump around in time and get a little confusing, but the author always circles back to clear up the chronology.
Please note that many portions of this book are incredibly graphic. Note well the content tags and proceed at your own risk.
There are a few sections that jump around in time and get a little confusing, but the author always circles back to clear up the chronology.
Please note that many portions of this book are incredibly graphic. Note well the content tags and proceed at your own risk.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent
Moderate: Police brutality and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Pandemic/Epidemic
mkelly8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Mass/school shootings
idesofjaim's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Brandon is a friend of a friend, so I’ve been familiar with him, his work, and the story of Drew for a few years now. Hearing about Drew’s beautiful soul is always a two-sided event; a joy to see the light he brought to those closest to him, and an immense sadness to know all of this is spoken in past tense.
Hearing about Brandon’s younger years was just as painful, yet all too familiar. Being ostracized from the family and community you were given, being othered, finding yourself in horrible situations only because you sought to be desired and accepted, so many unfortunately common things among the queer community. Add to that the layers of additional identifies, Brandon himself being Black. This book hits home about the profound impact of found family, and that makes a tragedy like Pulse that much more devastating.
Looking at this purely as a book, I find Brandon to be a great writer. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, narrated by him, as it is an enjoyable experience. There were some points that gave me a bit of whiplash as the timeline shifted back and forth, or where it was unclear whether we’d now moved to a more present state or still back in the past. Overall, though, I think everything tied together nicely, and I commend Brandon on not only writing this all down but the further bravery of reading it on recording for the world. I can imagine for someone in his position you get sick of hearing about bravery and how strong you are, but it is still very brave to put yourself in a position to recount all of this time and time again.
Hearing about Brandon’s younger years was just as painful, yet all too familiar. Being ostracized from the family and community you were given, being othered, finding yourself in horrible situations only because you sought to be desired and accepted, so many unfortunately common things among the queer community. Add to that the layers of additional identifies, Brandon himself being Black. This book hits home about the profound impact of found family, and that makes a tragedy like Pulse that much more devastating.
Looking at this purely as a book, I find Brandon to be a great writer. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, narrated by him, as it is an enjoyable experience. There were some points that gave me a bit of whiplash as the timeline shifted back and forth, or where it was unclear whether we’d now moved to a more present state or still back in the past. Overall, though, I think everything tied together nicely, and I commend Brandon on not only writing this all down but the further bravery of reading it on recording for the world. I can imagine for someone in his position you get sick of hearing about bravery and how strong you are, but it is still very brave to put yourself in a position to recount all of this time and time again.
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Rape, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
candicanepdx's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This book is a must-read for anyone who lives in this country. Brandon‘s vulnerable storytelling as he takes us through his journey of loss and tragedy is so powerful. His story teaches us how to find help, strength, and purpose in the darkest of hours. I hope everyone who reads it is just as inspired as I am to carry on Drew and Juan’s legacy of making this world something to be proud of (to quote the author).
I knew Brandon in high school, but we were just acquaintances. He was a year younger than me and we were both in plays and drama class. We both quit the play Footloose in 2003, most likely for different reasons.
Reading about his experience in our shared high school, it was gut-wrenching, but I can now say that it is not surprising to me at all. Years ago it would’ve been, but ever since I started learning about how Black people are treated in America; the police brutality and subsequent protests in Ferguson (and many more places since), I’m no longer shocked by how he was treated. I’m more shocked that I’ll lived in Canby, Oregon for so long without noticing how racist everyone was/is.
I knew Brandon in high school, but we were just acquaintances. He was a year younger than me and we were both in plays and drama class. We both quit the play Footloose in 2003, most likely for different reasons.
Reading about his experience in our shared high school, it was gut-wrenching, but I can now say that it is not surprising to me at all. Years ago it would’ve been, but ever since I started learning about how Black people are treated in America; the police brutality and subsequent protests in Ferguson (and many more places since), I’m no longer shocked by how he was treated. I’m more shocked that I’ll lived in Canby, Oregon for so long without noticing how racist everyone was/is.
Moderate: Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Death of parent
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