leotorre's review against another edition
5.0
amazing, to the point. this book holds so much i didn't know and so much guidance as to how to redirect white guilt into supporting action. it's a catalyst and i know the conversations within it will impulse me to do better. and Reni Eddo-Lodge's writing style has inspired me to get back into political writing!!
alisonw's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Like a lot of people, this book has been on my TBR pile since early 2020, and I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it.
The beginning of the book was a very important brief filling in of the history of race in Britain, as an outsider who moved here recently it was very informative.
The rest of the book is hard to summarise anymore than maybe a series of essays discussing race and issues around it, with context from examples and studies. Even if your understanding and views align with the author already, they are insightful and the concrete examples are useful for remembering when talking to someone who does not believe certain issues to be as big as they actually are.
Ending this review with a quote from the end of the book;
“[…]I know how much it can paralyse. How the feeling of hopelessness works to utterly crush creativity, and passion, and drive. But those are the three things we will definitely need if we’re ever going to fight this injustice.
We have to fight despondency. We have to hang on to hope.”
I genuinely think this is one of those books that is making the world a better place for all that live in it, which keeps me hopeful.
A note on the audiobook: I think I would have preferred this as a physical book, just because it would have been easier to pause and process. In future I’ll know now to stick to physical for essay type non fiction. However, the reading was very well done so if you’d prefer it in audio I do recommend it. I did listen at 1.3x because the pace was sliiightly slower than I prefer, but she has a great voice for reading.
The beginning of the book was a very important brief filling in of the history of race in Britain, as an outsider who moved here recently it was very informative.
The rest of the book is hard to summarise anymore than maybe a series of essays discussing race and issues around it, with context from examples and studies. Even if your understanding and views align with the author already, they are insightful and the concrete examples are useful for remembering when talking to someone who does not believe certain issues to be as big as they actually are.
Ending this review with a quote from the end of the book;
“[…]I know how much it can paralyse. How the feeling of hopelessness works to utterly crush creativity, and passion, and drive. But those are the three things we will definitely need if we’re ever going to fight this injustice.
We have to fight despondency. We have to hang on to hope.”
I genuinely think this is one of those books that is making the world a better place for all that live in it, which keeps me hopeful.
A note on the audiobook: I think I would have preferred this as a physical book, just because it would have been easier to pause and process. In future I’ll know now to stick to physical for essay type non fiction. However, the reading was very well done so if you’d prefer it in audio I do recommend it. I did listen at 1.3x because the pace was sliiightly slower than I prefer, but she has a great voice for reading.
jessicaanduiza's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Brilliant book. Well-researched intertwined with personal stories. This is SO MUCH BETTER than “Natives”.
penofpossibilities's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Hate crime, Grief, Police brutality, Racism, Murder, and Gun violence
claire60's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly important book, thought provoking exploration of race from a British writer, having read so many books about race form an American perspective it was a welcome and long overdue read. I'm glad this book is having the impact that it is and I hope that it brings about some much needed change.
fantasticmrethan's review against another edition
4.0
While not always eloquent it’s always thought provoking and incredibly important.
alicedubery's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.25