karimorton33's review against another edition
5.0
So good! This book was just what I needed. It was beautifully put together, and each story was beautiful in its own way.
hannahfyed's review against another edition
4.0
Compassionate, unflinching, nonjudgmental, revealing. I could only read several pages at a time because sometimes it felt like too much. Joys, pain, worries, love, anticipation. The stories about parenthood hit so much harder because I'm a parent now myself. I believe everyone has their own struggles, and just because other people have it worse doesn't take away from your experience, but we should at least recognize our many blessings and remember that we are just a small speck in a vast universe.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't aware of the Humans of New York project on Instagram so the stories shared by the people photographed for this book shocked me. There is so much sadness in the world.
Author and photographer said he asks people probing questions which gets people talking about what things in their life they regret or are worried about. It showed. I wondered if he asked people what was the most depressing thing they were dealing with. I felt so bad for many of the people.
I also noticed some themes: parents you need to love and accept your children -- if you don't because you are too selfish or distracted or using alcohol/drugs your children will carry around the scars for their whole lives. And if you were also scarred by your parents get help before you become a parent!
I loved the project but I should warn you, this book is heavy (literally and figuratively.)
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2023/05/review-humans.html
Author and photographer said he asks people probing questions which gets people talking about what things in their life they regret or are worried about. It showed. I wondered if he asked people what was the most depressing thing they were dealing with. I felt so bad for many of the people.
I also noticed some themes: parents you need to love and accept your children -- if you don't because you are too selfish or distracted or using alcohol/drugs your children will carry around the scars for their whole lives. And if you were also scarred by your parents get help before you become a parent!
I loved the project but I should warn you, this book is heavy (literally and figuratively.)
My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2023/05/review-humans.html
hadiya's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Some stories were stark, some lighthearted, some wise, some silly, and in all that diversity there was so much shared experience. People so far away from each other yet so similar to each other. So many reminded me of my experiences, and so many of the stories felt like me when I was a child, or my teenage self, or me a few years ago. I felt so that in our happiest moments and in our hardest moments, we aren't alone. And it's human duty to lift each other up no matter how different we think we all are. Stanton brings about people's vulnerabilities and reveals bits of his own in becoming a street photographer, and he does a stellar job of covering (as best as one possibly can) the diversity of the human experience. This is one I will return to again and again, to read, to reflect, and to think of another life elsewhere, opening up to tell their story.
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
Reading a Brandon Stanton book always makes me feel better about humanity.
rossbm's review against another edition
4.0
A good coffee table book. I like to read a couple of these stories at a time, especially if I'm feeling a bit down. It gives you a feeling of connection. Even the sad stories are a bit uplifting. A good alternative to barrage of social media.
pamiverson's review against another edition
5.0
“Humans of New York” goes global. Somewhat candid pictures of people around the world, with stories and thoughts they shared with the photographer. There are some universal themes and feelings (various forms of love and loss, different kinds of connections, goals realized and not), but they play out so differently in different situations. Enjoyable.
snivets's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely visceral line of humanity as cocaine absorbed straight through the eyes.