ktxx22's review against another edition
4.0
“I may be biased but I’m fully confident that the entire state Ohio is nothing but a racist cesspool”
As a native Ohioan I can 1000999873727290% confirm this. 98% of this state is horrible.
It’s hard to rate this book my full thought is 3.5 leaning up to 4 but not a full 4 star book. The story here is told in a really cool way by jumping around the age and timeline to more effectively communicate the authors thoughts and I really enjoyed that. I wanted a little bit more from this book from his “lost” days when he was struggling with his addictions and being an out gay man. But that’s a me problem from a reader standpoint.
As a native Ohioan I can 1000999873727290% confirm this. 98% of this state is horrible.
It’s hard to rate this book my full thought is 3.5 leaning up to 4 but not a full 4 star book. The story here is told in a really cool way by jumping around the age and timeline to more effectively communicate the authors thoughts and I really enjoyed that. I wanted a little bit more from this book from his “lost” days when he was struggling with his addictions and being an out gay man. But that’s a me problem from a reader standpoint.
eicart_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Child abuse, Alcohol, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Bullying, Suicide attempt, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Terminal illness, Body shaming, and Infidelity
heathen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
nathankwan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
This book was graphic, yet powerful and emotional. The descriptions of drug abuse and sex were hard to read, but I found the themes of the book both important and moving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexual content, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, and Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent, Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Minor: Hate crime and Cursing
jcschildbach's review against another edition
5.0
This gets into some pretty difficult subject matter as you might imagine with the author being black, gay, poor, and growing up in Ohio in the 70s and 80s. The writing is brilliant. As much as I found myself often feeling a sense of anxiety or dread while reading some of the chapters, it was hard to put the book down. I went through this book a lot quicker than most books I've read in a long time.
beardedbarista's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful. Heart breaking. Raw and poignant. This book is a memoir for so many who have had imperfect childhoods and suffered the pangs of racism and homophobia. But its also a book for those who have not. I have great respect for Broomes life story and his ability to tell it. Empathy and understanding only happen when we open ourselves up to life experiences different from our own. This books parallel story between his childhood and bus ride watching a young baby boy named Tuan was my favorite aspect and made the book a page turner.
Thanks so much for Taryn and HMH for getting this book into my hands. Very glad i got to read it.
Thanks so much for Taryn and HMH for getting this book into my hands. Very glad i got to read it.
coleweidman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
The entirety of the book flows and wraps up beautifully - sharing Brian’s experiences and his fears, wishes, and thoughts every step of the way was truly masterfully done.
bookbaenia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0