slowreadersclub's review against another edition
5.0
“Sometimes I stare at the family that owns me and I wish I were a different person, with white skin and the ability to tell my mother and my father, especially my father, to fuck off without consequences.”
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala was one of my highly anticipated releases for this year, and it did not disappoint. The story follows Harvard-bound Niru, a privileged son of highly religious Nigerian immigrants, living in Washington DC, as he comes to terms with his identity. Uzodinma Iweala skilfully examines issues around sexuality, racism, police brutality, religion, privilege, and the pressure that parents place on their children.
Whilst very short at only 215 pages, Speak No Evil still packs a gut-wrenching, emotional punch that you won’t forget. Highly recommend!
Speak No Evil by Uzodinma Iweala was one of my highly anticipated releases for this year, and it did not disappoint. The story follows Harvard-bound Niru, a privileged son of highly religious Nigerian immigrants, living in Washington DC, as he comes to terms with his identity. Uzodinma Iweala skilfully examines issues around sexuality, racism, police brutality, religion, privilege, and the pressure that parents place on their children.
Whilst very short at only 215 pages, Speak No Evil still packs a gut-wrenching, emotional punch that you won’t forget. Highly recommend!
luneclaire's review against another edition
3.0
I have complicated feelings about this book. I think it's absolutely worth reading and definitely an important addition to queer literature, especially for young, black men. Its heartbreaking exploration of a conservative, immigrant household and how those family members impact Niru highlight the convergence of "Old World" vs. "New," religious vs. not, gay vs. "being a man." But then the story takes an abrupt turn, and it loses me. It may be because I've recently read other books that address this type of turn better/more comprehensively. Or that I was so fully engrossed in the book's initial trajectory, it felt divisive. It's almost like the book tries to do too much, address too many worthy themes, that it doesn't give all the issues their due attention. It left me feeling really conflicted, both in a thought-provoking way but also with slight dissatisfaction.
I both listened to (45%) and read this (55%), utilizing the two mediums out of necessity while traveling. The male narrator captures the voices, accents, and emotions brilliantly; bringing to life this raw, emotional story written in a "stream of consciousness" style, which I feel has more impact being heard than read on pages. I highly recommend listening to it if you can.
I both listened to (45%) and read this (55%), utilizing the two mediums out of necessity while traveling. The male narrator captures the voices, accents, and emotions brilliantly; bringing to life this raw, emotional story written in a "stream of consciousness" style, which I feel has more impact being heard than read on pages. I highly recommend listening to it if you can.
sarful's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Niru was born into an immigrant family from Africa. His parents are attentive, but often he feels the love conditional. Especially when his father finds out he’s gay when he finds his phone. Niru finds he has to choose between accepting his feelings are natural or believing his pastor who says he can be straight. That this is gay pain is very real and very present.
The last half of the book takes on a completely different kind of story, which shifted too much away from the original story. And I was slightly baffled by Meredith’s actions and reactions to Niru.
However, the ending was this bittersweet realization for Niru’s father and well done. Well worth reading, even if it wasn’t perfect.
Niru was born into an immigrant family from Africa. His parents are attentive, but often he feels the love conditional. Especially when his father finds out he’s gay when he finds his phone. Niru finds he has to choose between accepting his feelings are natural or believing his pastor who says he can be straight. That this is gay pain is very real and very present.
The last half of the book takes on a completely different kind of story, which shifted too much away from the original story. And I was slightly baffled by Meredith’s actions and reactions to Niru.
However, the ending was this bittersweet realization for Niru’s father and well done. Well worth reading, even if it wasn’t perfect.
mxtthewz's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is heart breaking and beautifully written, going over homophobia and police brutality in an incredibly accurate way that you feel yourself as part of the story.
lulureadsalot's review
5.0
This book was beautiful. The storyline was so interesting, and took the most unexpected, heart-wrenching turn halfway through, but really it’s the quality of the writing that transported me. Especially in the first half. I don’t remember ever feeling so present and in the character’s shoes as I did in this book. Everything was so vividly and so accurately portrayed, down to every breath. Read it.
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 4.5
Characters: 4.5
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 4.5
Writing Style: 4.5
Excitement Factor: 4.5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.72
Characters: 4.5
Believability: 5
Uniqueness: 4.5
Writing Style: 4.5
Excitement Factor: 4.5
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.72
theworminbooks's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ayatamus's review against another edition
4.0
Highly relevant to the world of an American teenager today. Feels the most real of any young adult book I have read in recent years.