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A review by melissa_cosgrove
Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
WOW wow wow wow this was so good.
This book is heavy, for sure. But there’s hope here too. The language is rich and raw and unique, his voice is direct and honest, and there’s a rhythm and cohesiveness to the whole experience.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a memoir written in second person before, and I’m blown away by how well it worked here. It was a really creative, effective way to portray such a complicated maternal relationship.
As someone who also has a very complicated relationship with my mother, I was in awe of his capacity for compassion and empathy, while staying true to himself, his trauma, his very justified anger and pain. It’s a delicate balance I have yet to achieve in my own writing. I underlined so many quotes in this book, and I know I’ll be reading it again.
Really really excited to see him speak in Buffalo next week. Really really excited to read the rest of his work.
This book is powerful and abundant and I was hanging on every word.
This book is heavy, for sure. But there’s hope here too. The language is rich and raw and unique, his voice is direct and honest, and there’s a rhythm and cohesiveness to the whole experience.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a memoir written in second person before, and I’m blown away by how well it worked here. It was a really creative, effective way to portray such a complicated maternal relationship.
As someone who also has a very complicated relationship with my mother, I was in awe of his capacity for compassion and empathy, while staying true to himself, his trauma, his very justified anger and pain. It’s a delicate balance I have yet to achieve in my own writing. I underlined so many quotes in this book, and I know I’ll be reading it again.
Really really excited to see him speak in Buffalo next week. Really really excited to read the rest of his work.
This book is powerful and abundant and I was hanging on every word.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Eating disorder, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Rape