Friday, March 19, 2021

Book Review - Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates


 I sought out some serious reading when I picked Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  It's a short book but packs a wallop. 

Back cover blurb by Toni Morrison - Its examination of the hazards and hopes of black male life is as profound as it is revelatory. This is required reading. 

Ta-Nehisi writes this book to and for his fifteen year old son.  cover blurb - "This is your country, this is your world, this is your body, and you must find some way to live within the all of it."

The author asks questions about how to reckon with black history and free themselves from the burden. He shares his awakening through experiences at Howard University, Civil War battlefields, from travels - the South Side of Chicago to Paris. Coates reports, he confronts the present, he illuminates the past, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward.  (back blurb)

This is a tough read. I marked a lot of pages and reread paragraphs. I shall probably re-read this book in the near future to digest it further. He writes of a whole other world than I know, and it's striking. It made me think and I need to think more. 

 

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for this recommendation, Joanne.

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  2. Most interesting review Joanne, loved the read.
    Keep safe and have a great weekend.

    Yvonne.

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  3. Sounds like heavy, gritty stuff. Another world you embarked upon. You're likely my most traveled (by book) friend. Thank you for this recommendation.
    Stay well, Joanne.

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    1. I try to keep toes in the waters. Literature keeps me out there.

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    1. It's quite stunning. I'm currently trying to learn about the issue - I realize my life is very different from someone who is black in America.

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  5. Hi Joanne - I've ordered the Spark Notes - not sure what's coming ... but I'll let you know - sounds very interesting - thanks for the thought - Hilary

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    1. They've arrived ... and I think I'm duly impressed ... so I will be reading - I've snatched snippets and so am delighted I succumbed to them.
      It has a glossary;, a step-by-step analysis in plain English; Study questions and review quizzes ...
      So once again thanks for the recommendation - enjoy your re-read with or without these notes ... cheers Hilary

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    2. You are ever curious and that's so lovely. Glad I could give a worthy recommendation and I shall check into the notes. Makes you think, that's for sure.

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