Reviews

Semi-autobiographical, Jamaican-British author Paul Mendez sets the stage in early 2000's Britain. Jesse, a Jehovah's witness, grapples with his sexual identity, racism - not just from society in general, but specifically within his household. Forced out on his own as a teenager, Jesse seeks intimacy in prostitution and art. Jesse's timeline toggles back and forth within the early 2000's in a way that I found unnecessary as the characters and story are riveting enough on their own. Bookended is the story of Norman Alonso, migrating from Jamaica to Britain with his wife in tow under the pretenses of establishing a better life. The reality of 1960's Britain shatters those dreams.

Mendez's book grapples with homophobia, racism, sexual and race identity, and generational trauma. Mendez's knack for character development and dialogue made the world he designed feel lived in.

stellaa9's review

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

essie101's review

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

leila_scola's review against another edition

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dark sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

laurendrakeonline's review against another edition

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3.0

I would have liked to see more of Norman Alonso since I connected with him at the start of the book, and he then doesn’t feature any more throughout.

justinevandale's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

I recently have been trying to join more book clubs to become more countable for my reading and to read books outside what I normally would grab. This year I have been trying to read more diversely as well. Rainbow Milk is the September book for one of the book clubs I’m in Queereads YYC. Now normally I wouldn’t have grabbed this book and I hadn’t actually heard about it until it was chosen for bookclub. I didn’t mind this red but it didn’t blow my mind. It read like a non- fiction (which I do enjoy) but for me it was too all over the place. I actually wanted to DNF it after the first parts, I was really having a hard time reading the characters accent, it may be a better listen. But once we start following Jesse I was more invested. Again, this story read more memoir ish and was actually quite blunt and what was happening with our main character and how he jumped into sex work. I did just find his character not very exciting of a voice, I can’t quite put my finger on it. He did wild things, sex, drugs, etc but the voice was almost monotone as a read it. I also felt like the ending left me wanting more because it felt unfinished to me.
What I did like was that we got to see everyday struggles of someone of colour and who left their religious background. We followed Jesse as he was growing up and finding himself and finding love.

I may recommend this book but it would be to a certain group of readers vs. Everyone.

youdontsendme's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

harrietslittlelibrary's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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