nd2712's review against another edition
4.0
As with any essay collection, I didn't like every single one, but I could appreciate the message that each author was trying to get across. I had some favourites and some that I've learned brand new things from - I particularly loved the ones written by filmmakers and actors, who talk about their experience in Hollywood coming from a diverse variety of backgrounds that aren't straight and white. I suggest you pair this one with Shukla's collection from UK specific authors for a truly informative and fascinating reading experience.
crolland23's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
jo_d's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
dorayangvip's review against another edition
5.0
Very moving, very relatable. Very important underlying message for all, especially in the modern world.
bites_of_books's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This collection of essays gave me 26 writers to go and find all their works. Some because the writing is brilliant, others because I just need to know more about their work in general.
The intersection of being an immigrant with racism, classism, bigotry, sexism, etc., is heavily seen in this collection of essays. One isn't just an immigrant and therefore with certain characteristics, there are other things at play at all times. From those who have clear physical attributes that immediately causes them to stand out to those who might have an accent or who might not have the same resources as non-immigrants, these experiences are explored in these essays.
The idea of "the American Dream" is also explored in many of these essays, how that dream might be one that was dreamed by a group of people who had the means to achieve it and, which is unattainable for immigrants, or just not even something that we want but that we must achieve as part of our journey. For myself I felt like as an immigrant there is a path that I had to follow, education, job, house, but it left little room for what I wanted to achieve in life, this collection opened my eyes to the possibilities of what can be. From being in a punk rock band to a film maker or a writer, all these possibilities come from courage and the ability to see beyond that dream.
I'd highly recommend this to all, if anything you're bound to find a writer or two to follow after you're done with their essays.
The intersection of being an immigrant with racism, classism, bigotry, sexism, etc., is heavily seen in this collection of essays. One isn't just an immigrant and therefore with certain characteristics, there are other things at play at all times. From those who have clear physical attributes that immediately causes them to stand out to those who might have an accent or who might not have the same resources as non-immigrants, these experiences are explored in these essays.
The idea of "the American Dream" is also explored in many of these essays, how that dream might be one that was dreamed by a group of people who had the means to achieve it and, which is unattainable for immigrants, or just not even something that we want but that we must achieve as part of our journey. For myself I felt like as an immigrant there is a path that I had to follow, education, job, house, but it left little room for what I wanted to achieve in life, this collection opened my eyes to the possibilities of what can be. From being in a punk rock band to a film maker or a writer, all these possibilities come from courage and the ability to see beyond that dream.
I'd highly recommend this to all, if anything you're bound to find a writer or two to follow after you're done with their essays.
citizenkahn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is a brilliant book with many different perspectives. Parts are really hard and much demands a look at where the gulf between our pretty words vs the reality of our actions and our institutions. We can and must do better. Seeing where we are now is the first step.
graceesford's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
marginaliant's review against another edition
4.0
Favorite essays: "Her Name was India" by Krutika Mallikarjuna, "On the Blackness of the Panther" by Teju Cole, "Swimmer" by Nicole Dennis-Benn, "Dispatches from the Language Wars" by Daniel Jose Older, and "244 Million" by Mona Chalabi.