Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - My Government Means to Kill Me

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My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson

3 reviews

bisexualbookshelf's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson is a powerful exploration of resilience and resistance, deeply rooted in the historical realities of the AIDS epidemic and the socio-political struggles of marginalized communities. What immediately captivated me were the footnotes that ground the story in real history, making it not only a compelling narrative but also an educational experience.

The characters in this book are raw and authentic from the very beginning. Trey, the protagonist, is depicted with such grit and grunge that the reader can vividly experience his struggles and triumphs. The depiction of poverty and its harsh realities is both heartbreaking and enlightening. It’s difficult to read about Trey internalizing his oppression, but his realization that "Positioned correctly, pawns can checkmate kings" is both empowering and emblematic of the book's central theme.

Newson’s commentary on the AIDS epidemic is both poignant and insightful. He effectively captures the essence of the era, reminding us that bathhouses were among the only safe spaces for queer individuals at the time. Many of Trey’s romantic and sexual encounters remind readers of the implicit dangers of having such limited options, drawing a stark connection between queerness and poverty. This historical context is crucial for understanding the socio-economic landscape of the time.

My Government Means to Kill Me does not shy away from painful truths. The descriptions of homophobic and racist stereotypes are difficult to read, but Trey’s defiance is inspiring. Newson's ability to weave Trey’s sly, resourceful nature into his survival story as a queer Black man is masterful. The narrative also sheds light on the historical practice of gay couples adopting each other for legal rights, highlighting both the ingenuity and the heartbreaking necessity of such actions.

While the book is incredibly powerful, the second half of the plot feels somewhat disjointed. The numerous subplots involving Trey’s family, romantic relationships, and activism sometimes lack cohesion. However, this does not significantly detract from the impact of the story.

My Government Means to Kill Me is a remarkable novel that combines historical insight with a deeply personal narrative. It effectively highlights the themes of political liberation and diverse representation, making it a vital read for anyone interested in social justice and queer history. Despite some minor plot issues, the book’s strengths in character development and thematic exploration earn it a solid 4.5 stars.

📖 Recommended For: Readers interested in the intersection of queer history and social justice, those who appreciate gritty and authentic character portrayals, admirers of historical fiction grounded in real events.

🔑 Key Themes: Queer Empowerment, The AIDS Epidemic, Poverty and Queerness, Housing Justice, Activism and Resistance, Intersectionality, Black Queer Experiences.

Content Warnings

thecriticalreader's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Review:

I normally resent fiction books that try to give me a history lesson (I’d much rather read a nonfiction book for that sort of thing, thank you very much), but I make an enthusiastic exception for My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson. There are two reasons for this. The first is that the informative passages and footnotes on American history make sense within the conceit of the novel, which is that of a retrospective memoir written by a Black queer elder about his life as a gay man in New York City during the AIDS crisis. The second is that this history Newson interweaves these historical facts within a riveting story. My Government Means to Kill Me is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story, a political thriller, a queer history lesson, a mediation on political activism, and a devastating yet empowering portrait of the queer community during the AIDS epidemic, all incorporated seamlessly into a narrative of less than three hundred pages. I’ve never read anything quite like it.

Newson juggles so many elements (and makes it look easy) in large part due to his excellent characterization. His main character, Trey Singleton, has a singular voice. Trey has flaws and personal struggles, but his strong moral compass, adaptability, and ability to make connections with strangers make him an extraordinarily likable main character. Besides Trey, the book is peppered with an array of colorful side characters, many of whom are so vividly described that I felt like I knew them. Through these characters, Newson makes history come alive: I felt simultaneously ineffable sorrow for the tragedy and malice that the queer community faced during the AIDS epidemic and immense admiration for those who resisted the attacks on their lives and their community. I could have read hundreds of more pages of My Government Means to Kill Me; Newson leaves a lot of aspects of Trey’s life open at the end of the book. I can’t complain, however, because I think that he ends the book at the exact right place for Trey’s coming-of-age story.

Alas, I don’t think my review quite captures the brilliance of this book. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

The Run-Down:

You will probably like My Government Means to Kill Me if . . .

· You are interested in a heartfelt and informative look into the AIDS crisis from the perspective of a young Black gay man living in New York City

· You appreciate a well-written main character who learns a lot and grows as a person throughout the novel

· You like to read books that balance tones of hope, tragedy, humor, adventure, and relatability

You might not like My Government Means to Kill Me if . . .

· You want to avoid mentions or depictions of sex

· You don’t like books that incorporate fictionalized versions of real historical figures

· You like a book that wraps up all loose ends

A Similar Book:

The Chinese Groove by Kathryn Ma. Similarities include:

· A young main character who moves to a new place and assumes that this whole “life” thing will be a breeze, and subsequently experiences a lot of character growth

· A unique and likable main character who uses their perceptiveness and pluck to make a positive difference in people’s lives

· Strained familial relationships

· Colorful side-characters

· A good mix of humor, heart, heaviness, and hard truths, with a tiny dash of thriller in the mix

Content Warnings

lvosler21's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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