yasdnilr's review against another edition
5.0
I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this. Carolyn is a clear and honest writer with interesting tales of her life. I didn’t realise at first it was a collection of various essays she has written over the years - in fact I didn’t realise until the very end. So instead of a straightforward linear tale, small parts of the story and more were revealed in each essay until by the end, I had a really clear view of how she got where she did and why. Her life is so interesting! I admire people (but especially women) who are so determined to get where they are going, despite any obstacle, domestic abuse or systematic racism, in her way. I loved her children too. I continue to watch in awe of how people get up and keep on going. Highly recommended. Would read a thousand more pages of Ms Holbrook’s work.
I loved this. Carolyn is a clear and honest writer with interesting tales of her life. I didn’t realise at first it was a collection of various essays she has written over the years - in fact I didn’t realise until the very end. So instead of a straightforward linear tale, small parts of the story and more were revealed in each essay until by the end, I had a really clear view of how she got where she did and why. Her life is so interesting! I admire people (but especially women) who are so determined to get where they are going, despite any obstacle, domestic abuse or systematic racism, in her way. I loved her children too. I continue to watch in awe of how people get up and keep on going. Highly recommended. Would read a thousand more pages of Ms Holbrook’s work.
bthnywhthd's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the intimacy and rawness and emotion of this eclectic collection of essays.
alittlegreyfish's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and University of Minnesota Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This was an interesting set of compiled essays by Carolyn Holbrook that deal with timely and moving issues of racism, poverty, education, personal struggle, and prejudice that the author encountered throughout her life. I found the essays to be mixed in quality and they felt rather disjointed for me. There were some that I thought were truly phenomenal - the one about her teaching and building a workshop as well as her oldest son in prison really stood out to me. However, others I had difficulty resonating with. Overall, I thought this was a very interesting perspective to read from but found the organization of the essays to be a bit challenging to follow.
This was an interesting set of compiled essays by Carolyn Holbrook that deal with timely and moving issues of racism, poverty, education, personal struggle, and prejudice that the author encountered throughout her life. I found the essays to be mixed in quality and they felt rather disjointed for me. There were some that I thought were truly phenomenal - the one about her teaching and building a workshop as well as her oldest son in prison really stood out to me. However, others I had difficulty resonating with. Overall, I thought this was a very interesting perspective to read from but found the organization of the essays to be a bit challenging to follow.
bookishcori's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
highly readable. Holbrook is a Black writer, mother, literary leader, and teacher. Because this is rooted in the Twin Cities literary scene, it was quite interesting. If you like essay collections, give this one a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racism, and Domestic abuse
artsandbookish's review against another edition
Now more than ever, I think it's important to continue to learn and expand your knowledge. This book was incredible. Not only was it inspiring, but also a little eye-opening. "Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify" was beautifully written, which made it so easy to read. Sometimes, certain topics can be tough to read, but it was effortless to take everything in that was being told. The idea of each chapter covering different stories, different things from the author's life was a fantastic one. It really makes the reader go through a lot of emotions tough. I didn't really know what to expect when I picked up the book. But it proved to be a brilliant read—a definite recommendation.
kjboldon's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful and powerful collection of essays. Holbrook shares her personal stories like the gifts they are, of her journeys in single motherhood, teaching, writing, and community advocacy. I'm in awe of her persistence despite the many obstacles she writes about here, and so impressed by her many achievements, which include this book.
Some reviewers comment that the book is repetitive, or disjointed. I didn't find this, but in any case, this is a collection of different pieces, published separately over a number of years, so is not meant to be read as a linear, singlular narrative--it's an essay collection, not a conventional memoir.
Some reviewers comment that the book is repetitive, or disjointed. I didn't find this, but in any case, this is a collection of different pieces, published separately over a number of years, so is not meant to be read as a linear, singlular narrative--it's an essay collection, not a conventional memoir.
anerdybookbirdy's review against another edition
5.0
This book gave me a lot to think about as a white woman and the privilege I have within society. My heart broke for the ways in which the author was treated and her daughter and the the lack of support and justice they received. Carolyn Holbrook seems to be such a truly lovely person that has contributed to and inspired such a large amount of people to write and express themselves and that is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. I wish my teachers were as wonderful as Carolyn is.
(Blog post to come soon)
(Blog post to come soon)
openmypages's review against another edition
3.0
Carolyn's tale is an inspiring one but one that underlines the uphill battle people of color need to fight each and every day to get ahead, be heard and find peace and happiness in this world. She begins by describing her childhood which was marred by divorce and an entanglement as a teenager that left her pregnant and in juvenile detention. Not the most auspicious start! But Carolyn pulls herself up by her bootstraps and starts her own secretarial business which leads to teaching and writing which leads to awards and ultimately lives made better by her good influence. She talks a lot about her drive to get off foodstamps and out of poverty and just how hard it truly was even though she was working unbelievably hard. There are several hard sections that detail domestic abuse for both her and her daughter.
Memoirs are always hard to rate as there is a fine line between constructive criticism and judging how a person chooses to tell their story. The content within this story is nothing if not motivating for all who read it. It is also enlightening about the challenges BIPOC people face even when they are working their hardest for the same education and job opportunities as white people. I think that essays didn't quite flow in a way that was intuitive to me but that just may be my preference since I don't read essays compilations a lot.
Thanks to Netgalley and University of Minnesota Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Memoirs are always hard to rate as there is a fine line between constructive criticism and judging how a person chooses to tell their story. The content within this story is nothing if not motivating for all who read it. It is also enlightening about the challenges BIPOC people face even when they are working their hardest for the same education and job opportunities as white people. I think that essays didn't quite flow in a way that was intuitive to me but that just may be my preference since I don't read essays compilations a lot.
Thanks to Netgalley and University of Minnesota Press for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.