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A review by alexblackreads
No Ashes in the Fire: Coming of Age Black and Free in America by Darnell L. Moore
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Moore weaves his personal story of growing up black and queer in a predominantly black and working poor neighborhood with discussions on race, class, sexuality, and gender. He discusses the violence he experienced growing up with an abusive father, and the grief he felt when he learned of the man's death after having no contact with him for years. He discusses the prejudice and self hate he experienced as a man who loved other men, and specifically a black man who loved other black men.
He's done a great deal of self reflection and you can see how much he's changed just by what he shares here. He shares not only the prejudice he experienced from others, but also his own prejudice and his growth. He was a boy who was nearly set on fire for appearing gay, and yet still mocked other boys for appearing too effeminate. And he is an adult who grew from this and works to repair the harm from systemic prejudice.
The writing is gorgeous. This is his only book and I hope he writes more, both because he has such wonderful insight and also because I love the way he uses language. I listened to this via audiobook and I really wish I'd picked it up physically to experience his written word. His speaking voice is great, but I'd love the chance to pause on particularly powerful sentences and reread some sections.
This was wonderful. I highly recommend if you enjoy memoirs or if you're looking for books on the intersectionality of race and sexuality.
He's done a great deal of self reflection and you can see how much he's changed just by what he shares here. He shares not only the prejudice he experienced from others, but also his own prejudice and his growth. He was a boy who was nearly set on fire for appearing gay, and yet still mocked other boys for appearing too effeminate. And he is an adult who grew from this and works to repair the harm from systemic prejudice.
The writing is gorgeous. This is his only book and I hope he writes more, both because he has such wonderful insight and also because I love the way he uses language. I listened to this via audiobook and I really wish I'd picked it up physically to experience his written word. His speaking voice is great, but I'd love the chance to pause on particularly powerful sentences and reread some sections.
This was wonderful. I highly recommend if you enjoy memoirs or if you're looking for books on the intersectionality of race and sexuality.