libraryofdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
Earlier this year I read and loved Ta-Nehisi Coates’ novel The Water Dancer so when Net Galley and Delacorte Press offered me the opportunity to read his memoir newly adapted for young adults I jumped at the chance.
The Beautiful Struggle is a gripping read. Coates’ writing style is hypnotic. He paints an engrossing picture of his childhood in Baltimore during the 80s and 90s. His family story is fascinating - both heartwarming and heartrending. I was moved by his depiction of falling in love with writing. You can really see the influence music had on his style.
The way Coates explores his coming-of-age is masterful. I haven’t read the original memoir, but to me this version was strong enough to stand on its own feet. The language at times was hard to follow, but it created a music of its own. The Beautiful Struggle demanded my full attention and I was rewarded for dedicating my time to untangling its pages.
The Beautiful Struggle is a gripping read. Coates’ writing style is hypnotic. He paints an engrossing picture of his childhood in Baltimore during the 80s and 90s. His family story is fascinating - both heartwarming and heartrending. I was moved by his depiction of falling in love with writing. You can really see the influence music had on his style.
The way Coates explores his coming-of-age is masterful. I haven’t read the original memoir, but to me this version was strong enough to stand on its own feet. The language at times was hard to follow, but it created a music of its own. The Beautiful Struggle demanded my full attention and I was rewarded for dedicating my time to untangling its pages.
kinzakhan's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing can compete with “Between the World and Me” but this was a quick and insightful read (and at times the wit and his intelligent wording was funny), with a very different writing style. I was surprised to see it was written in 2008 (whereas BTWAM in 2015).
jess_segraves's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent read, especially if you read Between the World and Me and found it thought-provoking. You can learn so much from hearing where a person is from and how he or she was raised.
poenaestante's review against another edition
3.0
A flowing stream of consciousness of a story, this book isn't for everyone but I sort of wish everyone would read it anyway. A beautiful insight into the day to day realities and the competing pressures in the lives of young urban black boys -- the push to achieve in conventional ways (and lift the race up with you!) rubbing up against the pull into coolness and a certain form of authenticity that is all too often rolled up in questionable peer activity. How do you stay "in" with your friends without disappointing your parents? When and what do you pursue ? What does it mean to have the crushing weight of history on your shoulders when you are just one mixed-up teenage boy?
Lots to think about, no easy answers. Ta-Nehisi clearly ended up OK, but we're never quite sure how or why. His parents certainly loved him, but lots of parents love their kids and still can't save them. His parents certainly fought for him, but so do others to no avail. All this to say, the book was frustrating and flawed and glaringly incomplete but I still don't think I'd change a single word. It is necessarily messy.
Lots to think about, no easy answers. Ta-Nehisi clearly ended up OK, but we're never quite sure how or why. His parents certainly loved him, but lots of parents love their kids and still can't save them. His parents certainly fought for him, but so do others to no avail. All this to say, the book was frustrating and flawed and glaringly incomplete but I still don't think I'd change a single word. It is necessarily messy.
silodear's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a struggle for me (pun intended.) I switched to the audiobook about halfway through and that helped. Really enjoyed listening.
SPL 2019 book bingo: SAL speaker
SPL 2019 book bingo: SAL speaker
krissyronan's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this memoir. Coates' writing is phenomenal and I felt immersed in the stories he shared from growing up. Recommend for teens and adults.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Thank you to Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
bibliobiophile's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
In honor of Black History month, I wanted to read a book every week by a black author, and having enjoyed the artful craft of Coates before, I wanted to give his literary debut a go. It's a beautifully and honestly written collection of stories about his coming of age as a black man in Baltimore, but it still feels like a young author's autobiography (which it is) and we all know how I feel about that. That said, it's one of the better (probably the best) young author's autobiography I've read so far.
In honor of Black History month, I wanted to read a book every week by a black author, and having enjoyed the artful craft of Coates before, I wanted to give his literary debut a go. It's a beautifully and honestly written collection of stories about his coming of age as a black man in Baltimore, but it still feels like a young author's autobiography (which it is) and we all know how I feel about that. That said, it's one of the better (probably the best) young author's autobiography I've read so far.
kisaly's review against another edition
4.0
It's not Between the World's and Me, but the writing is excellent. Wish I had read it first as it gives his other writings a lot of context from his upbringing.