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A review by annathebooksiread
That Reminds Me by Derek Owusu
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
‘Once out of sight I turn back to the distance, the wind whistles with my pining, a soft sound above water, a symphony without rain, a heart pierced without pain.’
Finished in three days. A short book and so would always expect to speed through it, as is my nature. However, this is one which must be read delicately for its contents are poetry and passion; I found myself changing the way I read, with more fluidity and rhythmic pace. Pain and love; plunging the protagonist ‘K’ into a moments of darkness and yet the power of unrelenting love fights on with a gentleness that reminds us of the intensity found in the unspeakable moments shared with those we love and the unimaginable fear with those we don’t.
There are moments within this book that are shocking. There was a necessity to stop and think about the experiences of others and I had moments of deep reflection.
I have never read a book like this in my life. It is hard to express the power behind it. Derek Owusu has such a fresh and unique talent which left me breathless. I cannot wait to read more by him.
The vulnerability of ‘K’ who, through the haze of foresight, reminisces and pieces together memories that shape the course of his life. These offer personal reminders that to judge others is shortsighted. We never truly know the pain that another human has gone through. The gift of time spent talking and supporting someone in pain is a priceless gift and can make such a difference to their lives. There are much deeper topics that came from reading this book but I always try and write with my heart and this was how I felt at the end of this beautifully written story which explores life in its all complexities: love, belonging, sexuality, violence, addiction, family, religion and family.
Be kind to yourself - there are triggers in this book which may or may not be difficult to read.
Finished in three days. A short book and so would always expect to speed through it, as is my nature. However, this is one which must be read delicately for its contents are poetry and passion; I found myself changing the way I read, with more fluidity and rhythmic pace. Pain and love; plunging the protagonist ‘K’ into a moments of darkness and yet the power of unrelenting love fights on with a gentleness that reminds us of the intensity found in the unspeakable moments shared with those we love and the unimaginable fear with those we don’t.
There are moments within this book that are shocking. There was a necessity to stop and think about the experiences of others and I had moments of deep reflection.
I have never read a book like this in my life. It is hard to express the power behind it. Derek Owusu has such a fresh and unique talent which left me breathless. I cannot wait to read more by him.
The vulnerability of ‘K’ who, through the haze of foresight, reminisces and pieces together memories that shape the course of his life. These offer personal reminders that to judge others is shortsighted. We never truly know the pain that another human has gone through. The gift of time spent talking and supporting someone in pain is a priceless gift and can make such a difference to their lives. There are much deeper topics that came from reading this book but I always try and write with my heart and this was how I felt at the end of this beautifully written story which explores life in its all complexities: love, belonging, sexuality, violence, addiction, family, religion and family.
Be kind to yourself - there are triggers in this book which may or may not be difficult to read.