bellawinterbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Overall I liked this book and I understood his struggle with sexuality completely. The only hard part of this for me as an American was reading the Scottish language written. I obviously do not have the accent so it was hard to decipher some of it. Great memoir otherwise!
stephen_on_a_jet_plane's review against another edition
5.0
I would highly recommend this memoir by Damian Barr which is meticulously written, and as sharp as you could hope. Growing up as a gay child, in abusive home after abusive home, he manages to convey his emotions and the fear at the time without ever descending into self pity or self obsession. His shrewd observations of the people who inhabited his small world are offset by his young mind’s love of fantasy and far off worlds. It’s a compelling listen which doesn’t pull you down in spite of the serious subject matter.
tdk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
saraheholtom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.0
claire60's review against another edition
3.0
A memoir about growing up in the west of Scotland amidst, deprivation, violence, alcoholism and abuse, it was a really tough existence and particularly as Damian began to realise he was gay. Each chapter opens with a quote from Margaret Thatcher, which at times gave important context especially as she decimated the main industries and source of work in Scotland. Damian's father worked for the steel plant at Ravenscraig, he describes the hard, dirty work, well and the beauty of the double sunset as the furnaces lit the neighbouring sky. There is also the horror that as children they were playing in and around incredibly toxic materials. The book is most affecting as he writes about his struggles, being bullied at school, the way he protects himself from the alcohol fuelled parties in his teens, although he also doesn't allow his sister to be in his safe room even though there is a spare bed. I can appreciate that he was doing what he needed to in order to survive but it does rather suggest that he is following Margaret Thatcher's individualistic ideology a little too much. I wasn't sure about the whole 'Maggie and me' concept, at times it felt like a construct, at others necessary to explain her impact on Scotland, however, at the end it is clear that he admires her and was thrilled to be told that she would have liked him. That just left a sour taste for me and almost ruined my experience of the whole book. I would say if you want to know about the hardships of the west of Scotland read Shuggie Bain and if you want to enjoy Damian Barr's writing read You will be safe here, or read this but maybe avoid the epilogue.
justfoxie's review against another edition
3.0
Ok so I’ve been trying to figure out why I felt merely lukewarm about this book and I think it’s because I read it pretty close in time to We Were Always Here, which I think is a better example of this genre and one where it explores bigger and more relevant themes to modern queerness.
A good portion of not enjoying this book is largely my bias - I don’t enjoy reading stories or memoirs featuring abuse as device to shock or merely elicit sympathy. Is it horrible what the author went through? Absolutely. Should any child have to experience that? Never. Do I need to read another book about it without any other redeeming features? No. No I really don’t.
I gave this three stars instead of two since I recognise the writing skill and the bravery in putting this experience out in the world. But really if you want to read a transformation memoir read We Were Always Here instead.
A good portion of not enjoying this book is largely my bias - I don’t enjoy reading stories or memoirs featuring abuse as device to shock or merely elicit sympathy. Is it horrible what the author went through? Absolutely. Should any child have to experience that? Never. Do I need to read another book about it without any other redeeming features? No. No I really don’t.
I gave this three stars instead of two since I recognise the writing skill and the bravery in putting this experience out in the world. But really if you want to read a transformation memoir read We Were Always Here instead.
auntbreesqreads's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a very good read. I think it would have been helpful to know a little bit more about Scotland and its history before reading this but I could certainly emphasize with the story of a young boy searching for acceptance. It found the writing engaging and was able to finish the story pretty quickly as a result.