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A review by showthisbooksomelove
Autobiography of My Dead Brother by Walter Dean Myers
4.0
The last Myers’ book I read was Monster in high school. When I saw this book, I knew I had to circle back around to an excellent author to whom I haven’t given enough of my time yet. I was not disappointed. Myers writes about growing up, having friends, trying to impress parents, trying to impress girls, and the relationship between young black men and cops.
Jesse is a young man finding his way through his art. He shares his sketches with his good friend Rise, who asks him to make an autobiography through art, in a graphic novel format. Jesse agrees, and sifts through memories, digging up the past and writing through his eyes. Rise loves it, and wants his name to be known. But its not the only project he’s involved in. Rise starts talking about turning their club into more of a gang type group. He starts talking about guns and violence and protection for their neighborhood. Jesse isn’t so sure, and wants them to stay out of it all.
This is an easy read and a heavy story. This story speaks the truth; everybody’s relationships are different and people are constantly changing. Growing up is a hard process, and it may feel even harder for so many black men growing up where the world is out to get you. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
The writing flows on the page, and I loved the sketches Myers adds in drawn by his son. The book is formatted so that the words flow around the sketches, creating a beautiful aesthetic that carries throughout the story. It’s very fitting for the storyline as well, showing Jesse’s take through his drawings. I haven’t read anything quite like this in a while. I would absolutely recommend this book for everyone.
Jesse is a young man finding his way through his art. He shares his sketches with his good friend Rise, who asks him to make an autobiography through art, in a graphic novel format. Jesse agrees, and sifts through memories, digging up the past and writing through his eyes. Rise loves it, and wants his name to be known. But its not the only project he’s involved in. Rise starts talking about turning their club into more of a gang type group. He starts talking about guns and violence and protection for their neighborhood. Jesse isn’t so sure, and wants them to stay out of it all.
This is an easy read and a heavy story. This story speaks the truth; everybody’s relationships are different and people are constantly changing. Growing up is a hard process, and it may feel even harder for so many black men growing up where the world is out to get you. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
The writing flows on the page, and I loved the sketches Myers adds in drawn by his son. The book is formatted so that the words flow around the sketches, creating a beautiful aesthetic that carries throughout the story. It’s very fitting for the storyline as well, showing Jesse’s take through his drawings. I haven’t read anything quite like this in a while. I would absolutely recommend this book for everyone.