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thepetitepunk's review
4.0
4.5 stars
I think one of the most important aspects to master in order to write a successful review is to make it feel real. A memoir is about your life through your own biased eyes, so you must make sure you sound honest, authentic, and reflective.
Saeed Jones doesn’t shy away from anything. He is brutally honest, even if this paints himself in a negative light. He gives the reader all the details, even if it’s uncomfortable. And he seems to writes his experiences with being both black and gay exactly how he remembers living through them, even if his thoughts and actions are morally questionable.
There are definitely parts of this memoir where I didn’t know how to feel. Should I feel bad for Jones? Upset by the pressures he was put under? Angry at the world it’s oppression, expectations, gender roles, etc.? Disturbed by Jones’ actions? I felt a lot of different things all at once, but that makes sense.
I would like to point out that this memoir contains graphic sex scenes, descriptions of violence, mentioning of rape, and blatant homophobia and racism. I think these elements were important, but please know your own limits for what you can read.
Just as some cultures have a hundred words for “snow,” there should be a hundred words in our language for all the ways a black boy can lie awake at night.
I think one of the most important aspects to master in order to write a successful review is to make it feel real. A memoir is about your life through your own biased eyes, so you must make sure you sound honest, authentic, and reflective.
Saeed Jones doesn’t shy away from anything. He is brutally honest, even if this paints himself in a negative light. He gives the reader all the details, even if it’s uncomfortable. And he seems to writes his experiences with being both black and gay exactly how he remembers living through them, even if his thoughts and actions are morally questionable.
There are definitely parts of this memoir where I didn’t know how to feel. Should I feel bad for Jones? Upset by the pressures he was put under? Angry at the world it’s oppression, expectations, gender roles, etc.? Disturbed by Jones’ actions? I felt a lot of different things all at once, but that makes sense.
I would like to point out that this memoir contains graphic sex scenes, descriptions of violence, mentioning of rape, and blatant homophobia and racism. I think these elements were important, but please know your own limits for what you can read.
art3mis9's review
5.0
My only complaint is it wasn’t long enough. I wanted to keep reading this book forever. Excellent writing, very easy to read. I want to know more about his life and if he truly allows himself to be himself.
jaywithwhiskey's review
4.0
A beautifully written story that takes you through a childhood, college and adulthood. This was written like poetry, every section felt like a story in itself worth digging into and I had so much I wanted to dig into with the people I'm Saeed's life. This was so easy to delve into.
lbarsk's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking and gorgeous. Jones’ prose is just incredible, and so clearly borne of poetic skill. He’s just amazing. I’m so grateful to him for sharing himself so vulnerably.