I have never heard of Brian Broome before picking up this book. But, by the end of it I want to know more about him.
This was an honest and raw memoir about growing up as a black gay male. The shame he felt about not fitting into the image of what a black man is supposed represent. Dealing with ridicule and teasing every day in school and at home, he adapts by trying to hide his true self from the people who should be most accepting of him.
After years of abuse suffered at the hands of his own father, he unsurprisingly ends up addicted to drugs and alcohol. The dark, and sometimes seedy, gay clubs he attends over the years seem to be the only refuge he had where he could be himself.
There are bolded chapters throughout that tell us of his thoughts and feelings while watching a father and his son, Tuan, on a bus ride.
Brian's story grabbed my attention right from the jump. This memoir was beautifully written as if he was personally telling us his life story, unlike some memoirs that seem forced or stuffy. There were many parts that made me sad for him, because everyone should be allowed to live their life without judgement.
His writing style was easy to read and stay connected to. No fluff. Just straight up truth about the struggles of being a black gay man.
Some of my absolute favorite parts were the chapters about (and for) Tuan.
This was an honest and raw memoir about growing up as a black gay male. The shame he felt about not fitting into the image of what a black man is supposed represent. Dealing with ridicule and teasing every day in school and at home, he adapts by trying to hide his true self from the people who should be most accepting of him.
After years of abuse suffered at the hands of his own father, he unsurprisingly ends up addicted to drugs and alcohol. The dark, and sometimes seedy, gay clubs he attends over the years seem to be the only refuge he had where he could be himself.
There are bolded chapters throughout that tell us of his thoughts and feelings while watching a father and his son, Tuan, on a bus ride.
Brian's story grabbed my attention right from the jump. This memoir was beautifully written as if he was personally telling us his life story, unlike some memoirs that seem forced or stuffy. There were many parts that made me sad for him, because everyone should be allowed to live their life without judgement.
His writing style was easy to read and stay connected to. No fluff. Just straight up truth about the struggles of being a black gay man.
Some of my absolute favorite parts were the chapters about (and for) Tuan.