Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir

Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

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

38 reviews

jrosebartoli415's review against another edition

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.

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nadia's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

This was a really powerful memoir and I especially recommend the audiobook, read by Broome himself. Broome vividly portrayed the harsh struggles around growing up as a black boy in America, and one who knows he is different in more ways than one, not fitting in to the role society expects him to play.

I particularly appreciated the discussion around black parenting and how the way love and care is demonstrated may manifest itself in different, seemingly strange and punishing, ways, born out of a necessity to survive in a country that doesn't want to accept you.

Perfect for lovers of memoirs that explore themes of identity, sexuality, race in America, masculinity, addiction, motherhood, and fatherhood, the latter especially in black families!

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lpfoley's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

Broome’s writing is visceral. Each vulnerable story he shares about his childhood, his relationship with his father, his relationship with his mother, his addiction, his shame around not fitting into the mold of masculinity that was prescribed to him — each damn story — is told absolutely dripping in truth and emotion. It’s such an honest peek into a beautiful human spirit.

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