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A review by thebooknerdscorner
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith Jr.
4.0
A moving memoir told in verse about being a poor, gay, black boy and the adversity that one faces from society for just trying to be themself.
Memoirs told in verse are a pretty niche genre, but one that I always end up enjoying immensely. Tony's poems are moving, and it was cool how he still had access to many of the poems that he wrote as a young adult that he could include in this manuscript. This blending of past and future Tony was really neat.
This memoir nails down a ton of lessons about life that can sometimes be hard to grasp in reality. Tony implores us to conquer our demons, rise above our financial standing, and go after our dreams no matter how far-fetched they may seem. I love when people are willing to share so many personal details about their lives in the hope of inspiring others to live their best lives, too.
I think my favorite part about this book is how Tony talks about this script that society expects everyone to follow (which has also been enforced by Hollywood): The boy is supposed to get the girl, prom night is a rite of passage where fourth base should be passed, they're supposed to go to college together, get fancy degrees, have sex along the way, eventually have children, and be successful parents together. This though, is far from anyone's reality and puts so much pressure on people who feel like they have to follow this script but feel like it doesn't capture who they are. I was lucky enough to not care what society thought about me and my early life decisions that affected my entire life, but most people aren't blessed with such strong wills.
Overall, "How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" is a moving memoir told in masterful poetry that explores many deep topics about growing up, embracing one's individuality, and coming to peace with oneself. It also urges us to chase our dreams, conquer our demons, and defy the narrative that society expects from us and thrive while doing so. I would definitely recommend this quick read for lovers of poetry, stories by diverse voices, and inspirational narratives.
Memoirs told in verse are a pretty niche genre, but one that I always end up enjoying immensely. Tony's poems are moving, and it was cool how he still had access to many of the poems that he wrote as a young adult that he could include in this manuscript. This blending of past and future Tony was really neat.
This memoir nails down a ton of lessons about life that can sometimes be hard to grasp in reality. Tony implores us to conquer our demons, rise above our financial standing, and go after our dreams no matter how far-fetched they may seem. I love when people are willing to share so many personal details about their lives in the hope of inspiring others to live their best lives, too.
I think my favorite part about this book is how Tony talks about this script that society expects everyone to follow (which has also been enforced by Hollywood): The boy is supposed to get the girl, prom night is a rite of passage where fourth base should be passed, they're supposed to go to college together, get fancy degrees, have sex along the way, eventually have children, and be successful parents together. This though, is far from anyone's reality and puts so much pressure on people who feel like they have to follow this script but feel like it doesn't capture who they are. I was lucky enough to not care what society thought about me and my early life decisions that affected my entire life, but most people aren't blessed with such strong wills.
Overall, "How the Boogeyman Became a Poet" is a moving memoir told in masterful poetry that explores many deep topics about growing up, embracing one's individuality, and coming to peace with oneself. It also urges us to chase our dreams, conquer our demons, and defy the narrative that society expects from us and thrive while doing so. I would definitely recommend this quick read for lovers of poetry, stories by diverse voices, and inspirational narratives.