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A review by nglofile
How to Be Black by Baratunde R. Thurston
3.0
Pointed commentary couched both in humor and in personal experience. It's an effective blend, and one I don't know that I've seen attempted in quite this way. It's well-paced and lightly dished out, yet some of the "instruction" has bittersweet resonance.
I did enjoy the memoir aspects more than the satire, but that isn't a criticism of the other. Thurston has lived a fascinating life, and it was intriguing to learn of chapters that made significant impressions, led to turning points, or were formative in his current perspectives and choices. The addition of the "Black Panel" was inspired, adding in a group of other voices, including women, to speak to stereotypes and challenges in a way that enriched the conversation.
Entertaining, poignant, and provocative.
I did enjoy the memoir aspects more than the satire, but that isn't a criticism of the other. Thurston has lived a fascinating life, and it was intriguing to learn of chapters that made significant impressions, led to turning points, or were formative in his current perspectives and choices. The addition of the "Black Panel" was inspired, adding in a group of other voices, including women, to speak to stereotypes and challenges in a way that enriched the conversation.
Entertaining, poignant, and provocative.