riverbarret's review against another edition
What can I possibly say about this book that will do it justice? It's brilliant, and I don't know if I'll ever be able to show my full appreciation. Shaun David Hutchinson is such a courageous person. I hope I grow up to be half as intelligent and kind as he is.
Thank you for sharing your story, sir. It means more to me than I could ever put into words.
Thank you for sharing your story, sir. It means more to me than I could ever put into words.
heyscottcurry's review against another edition
4.0
TBH, the tagline of this book should have been "How I am surviving..." because that was one of my biggest takeaways from this book.
I appreciated a lot about this memoir. The 'coming out story' portion is a common story but one we don't hear or read about often enough. It helped me realize that the coming out stories I typically read make me feel comfortable because they're usually more relatable to me. His story was nothing like mine, and that was helpful for my own understanding of how the queer world works because it pushed me out of my little box.
Hutchinson sharing how depression shows up in his life was moving and relatable. And how he managed to 'grow up' despite all of these circumstances deserves applause.
It's hard to judge a memoir on any set of criteria. I will say, the last few chapters of the book were my favorite as Hutchinson speeds through several decades of his life with small glimpses at memories that I'm sure are fascinating stories. Hopefully, he's saving those for a follow-up! :)
I appreciated a lot about this memoir. The 'coming out story' portion is a common story but one we don't hear or read about often enough. It helped me realize that the coming out stories I typically read make me feel comfortable because they're usually more relatable to me. His story was nothing like mine, and that was helpful for my own understanding of how the queer world works because it pushed me out of my little box.
Hutchinson sharing how depression shows up in his life was moving and relatable. And how he managed to 'grow up' despite all of these circumstances deserves applause.
It's hard to judge a memoir on any set of criteria. I will say, the last few chapters of the book were my favorite as Hutchinson speeds through several decades of his life with small glimpses at memories that I'm sure are fascinating stories. Hopefully, he's saving those for a follow-up! :)
one_crazy_eliott's review against another edition
Wasn't vibing with it. It was just bumming me out ig
nosmallthing's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Medical content, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, and Drug use
catbewks's review against another edition
5.0
The hardest book I've ever had the pleasure to read, had to set it down a few times so as not to have a full-on sob fest and meltdown. Reading this book only cemented the huge amount of love and respect I have for this author.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
I have really enjoyed the two fiction novels I've read by Hutchinson. This book about the author's life and his struggle to accept himself and to overcome his depression was a difficult read for me. It felt like a very important book to read yet it seemed to put the reader at a arms length away from the feelings and the trauma that was being described. the ending of the book where Hutchinson talked about his suicide attempt and his slow and uneven recovery was an exception. It was well-done and makes the book worth the read.
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/review-brave-face-how-i-survived.html
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/review-brave-face-how-i-survived.html
benjaminvr's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this was like a punch in the gut. I couldn’t read more than three pages without crying. And as much as I know it is going to hurt, I will write this review, and is going be the last I ever write.
nickoh25's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.75
dlberglund's review against another edition
3.0
At times, this was a very difficult book to listen to. Hutchinson reads the audiobook himself, which I appreciate, but I can't imagine how hard it would be to relive these experiences in such detail. He includes two content warnings and some resources for people who may struggle with depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, or issues with coming out. While he is clear to the reader that he is writing from “a place of light”, and that if he got through it, you can too....it is still a book full of pain of all kinds. Young Shaun was full of self-loathing, particularly about being gay, and worked through self-fulfilling prophecies and self-destructive behavior. It is a long, slow road to his suicide attempt, and it was difficult to read. I'm not sure this is the perfect book for an average young person struggling to come out. There's just so much pain, doubt, and examples of poor choices. He breezes through the 20 years that come after his suicide attempt in only a few pages, assuring us that he made lots of other choices and has a happy life now. Great, but the majority of the book is about the negative voices in his head and his doubt and poor choices.
pjv1013's review against another edition
4.0
Partindo da memória individual um livro sobre a estória de tantos de nós. Um livro potente e transformador sobre as vivências LGB na adolescência.
Um documento importante sobre doença mental nos adolescentes LGBTI.
Um documento importante sobre doença mental nos adolescentes LGBTI.