sisky's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cami19's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
delicatewatkins's review against another edition
3.0
This book had some problems. A lot of them are covered in other 3 star reviews so I won't bore you with the details. Jarring POV change. Jarring change in focus from queerness to race. I loved Niru's POV but the book has some issues in the last 25%.
I listened to this on audiobook.
I listened to this on audiobook.
gibetal's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Murder
laynazaubinde's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
melissafirman's review against another edition
A bit too heavy and slow-paced for me right now as an audiobook, and the print version is absolutely unreadable (devoid of punctuation, no quotes around dialogue in long passages). I thought the latter was an issue because I'm reading an ARC but apparently it made it's way into the final version too. I know this is an important story and perspective, but I feel like I've read it before. Other reviews have convinced me that I won't like the ending or the switch in narrators.
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.