Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir by Brian Broome

21 reviews

imchelsi's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging informative reflective

4.0

I don't read very much nonfiction but this was a heartwrenching and critical look at what it means to be black and gay, the the concept of masculinity as a whole. I really enjoyed the format and the culmination was very effective. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

agnesjlopez's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

juliagongaware's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ash_ton's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.0

Broome has a great voice. I love when I can be immersed in a memoir, can envision it. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

eicart_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

remimicha's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

planning2read's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

orireading's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

This was so emotional and incredible.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ladydi412's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jrosebartoli415's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

This was such a beautiful memoir. Broome writes about his life growing up as a queer Black boy in Ohio and his coming of age story in Ohio and Pittsburgh. The way he details his specific emotions throughout these different life experiences was really powerful. The theme throughout was really one of trying to be what everyone else wants you to be, striving to meet those expectations (spoken or unspoken), and finally resolving to rest confidently in himself as he is. "I knew I could never be what they all needed me to be" was such a turning point and really resonated with me. In addition to that section, there were two moments in the story that really stood out to me and made me tear up: earlier in the novel, Broome tells a story about a coworker named Denise who supported him and she's one of several in "the mosaic of Black women who have saved my life." It was beautiful to hear him reflect back on his life to see the women that were important throughout his life even if he didn't necessarily see their significance at the time. My favorite part though was his short description of laughing when crying. It was poetry and very emotive: "laughing through a deep ache," the mix of joy and sadness. 

Would definitely recommend this memoir, and the audiobook was great. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings