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katiekarnehmesh 's review for:
Buttigieg's book starts with a description of Indiana sunrise in January, a phenomenon so brief it can feel like it doesn't happen at all, with the night moving from darkness to gray. If you don't pay attention, you miss the subtle, sudden orange and pink and indigo on the horizon. Buttigieg, however, pays attention here, and describes it so beautiful that while I may be undecided on the upcoming Democratic primary (which, like Indiana sunrises in the winter, come late and almost don't count), I give my fellow English major and Oxford study-abroad-er a high mark for writing abilities.
At times I think I liked the book for its Indiana connections. It discussed South Bend history, a retrospect of recent Indiana politics, and the complicated nuances of having Mike Pence for a governor. I'm not from Indiana, but I've spent most of my adult life here, and apparently it's begun to matter to me in spite of my initial disinterest. Other times, I appreciated the book for the way Buttigieg discusses the aspects of being a mayor--I had no idea renaming a street or dealing with sewers could be so complicated or interesting. Mostly, I appreciated what is clearly a campaign memoir for the fact it was also well-written. I might have missed cliches, sweeping generalizations, and easy conclusions, but I don't think I did, and for that I am grateful.
I also appreciated hearing Buttigieg's discussion on his own challenges, particularly with the African-American community. I am well-aware a candidate and author will portray himself or herself in the best light--but in this case, the author didn't seem to defending himself so much as being specific about what had gone wrong. The author's own version of his story is what we always have to start with. If we can't trust that, we know there's not much there to trust. I was happy to see Buttigieg's ethos to be geared towards truth, rather than self-preservation.
By far my favorite chapters were in his coming out story and his relationship with Chasten. I'm a diocese of northern Indiana Episcopal--I've been to the cathedral in South Bend and know the ministers who officiated his wedding. The chapters made my heart happy.
If you want a campaign memoir, or a book that helps explain Indiana, I highly recommend Shortest Way Home, even if you don't plan to vote for Buttigieg. I very much hope to elect a president who's a great leader, but if he or she is also a good writer, I'll be extra delighted.
At times I think I liked the book for its Indiana connections. It discussed South Bend history, a retrospect of recent Indiana politics, and the complicated nuances of having Mike Pence for a governor. I'm not from Indiana, but I've spent most of my adult life here, and apparently it's begun to matter to me in spite of my initial disinterest. Other times, I appreciated the book for the way Buttigieg discusses the aspects of being a mayor--I had no idea renaming a street or dealing with sewers could be so complicated or interesting. Mostly, I appreciated what is clearly a campaign memoir for the fact it was also well-written. I might have missed cliches, sweeping generalizations, and easy conclusions, but I don't think I did, and for that I am grateful.
I also appreciated hearing Buttigieg's discussion on his own challenges, particularly with the African-American community. I am well-aware a candidate and author will portray himself or herself in the best light--but in this case, the author didn't seem to defending himself so much as being specific about what had gone wrong. The author's own version of his story is what we always have to start with. If we can't trust that, we know there's not much there to trust. I was happy to see Buttigieg's ethos to be geared towards truth, rather than self-preservation.
By far my favorite chapters were in his coming out story and his relationship with Chasten. I'm a diocese of northern Indiana Episcopal--I've been to the cathedral in South Bend and know the ministers who officiated his wedding. The chapters made my heart happy.
If you want a campaign memoir, or a book that helps explain Indiana, I highly recommend Shortest Way Home, even if you don't plan to vote for Buttigieg. I very much hope to elect a president who's a great leader, but if he or she is also a good writer, I'll be extra delighted.