#book #review
In this his nonfiction debut, the writer and poet Dean Atta, pulls no punches. This is a visceral, and honest account of what it is like to be black and queer.
His blistering openness of some of his life choices made me sit up and take notice. Dean takes us through how physical traumas can leave lasting effects on the psyche for years after the events.
I love the way he doesn't actually name the people in this autobiography but gives them all nicknames, like the Younger Poet, The Mudlark and the Doctor. The author takes us through his boyhood, youth, his thirties up to 38. His grandparents are particularly fondly remembered.
Dean has a spiritual awareness beyond his years as he reconciled all the characters that make up the whole. Poet, performer, writer, drag queen, friend, lover, son, grandson, nephew, and uncle - he manages to accomodate them all in this book. He shapes body, mind and spirit into a new uplifting self aware whole.
☆☆☆☆☆Highly recommended reading.
* This book deals with queer, adult themes*
©✍️CarolynCrossley
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