duriangrey's review against another edition
5.0
to be read when you cannot sleep at night because you are angry and afraid
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
Both ambitious in form and supercharged in message, this is a work that provokes in the best possible way.
audiobook note: Solid narration by Allyson Johnson, who conveys empathy and frustration equally well. However, be sure you pick up a print copy as well, lest you miss the impact of the artful images which accent several of the pieces. It's also a good way to revisit both prose and poetry, creating an opening in which you might linger in the language. Audio doesn't lend itself to that, but it does make a good companion before, during, or after.
audiobook note: Solid narration by Allyson Johnson, who conveys empathy and frustration equally well. However, be sure you pick up a print copy as well, lest you miss the impact of the artful images which accent several of the pieces. It's also a good way to revisit both prose and poetry, creating an opening in which you might linger in the language. Audio doesn't lend itself to that, but it does make a good companion before, during, or after.
aaron_j136's review against another edition
3.0
“We never reached out to anyone to tell our story, because there’s no ending to our story, he said. Being honest with you, in my opinion, they forgot about us.”
I think overall, as a collection, this book was stunning– I particularly loved the first half of the collection. As the text went on I felt like the poetry seemed to get a bit more confusing for my personal taste.
I think overall, as a collection, this book was stunning– I particularly loved the first half of the collection. As the text went on I felt like the poetry seemed to get a bit more confusing for my personal taste.
katreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this excellent read. Rankine drops the reader in the midst of microaggressions beautifully.
maiamatson's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely interesting concept. Less interesting execution. I really struggled with understanding this text. Considering it is poetry written without any form relating to imagines that convey the black experience of being a citizen in America I am okay admitting I struggled to understand the text/image's. The cover however is so cool.
amandarose13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
3.0
Citizen: An American Lyric is a novel-length poem-memoir about racial aggressions and "micro-aggressions." A slip of the tongue or an oversight may seem minor to some, but Rankine argues that these "micro-aggressions," point to a subconscious racism that runs rampant in a culture that has outlawed more egregious forms of racism (slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation, etc.). Ranking reflects on her own personal experiences as well as the experiences of Serena Williams, Zinedine Zidane, Rodney King, Trayvon Martin, and Eric Garner. Ranking weaves together quotes from Zora Neale Hurston, Frederick Douglass, and, most importantly, James Baldwin.
While this is an important poem to read in 21st century America, I was not amazed at the poetry itself. I highly recommend reading Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me in conjunction with this book.
While this is an important poem to read in 21st century America, I was not amazed at the poetry itself. I highly recommend reading Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me in conjunction with this book.