Average Bufph Rating: Not rated
Ta-Nehisi Coates
2021
*An extraordinary coming-of-age story, adapted from the adult memoir by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Water Dancer and Between the World and Me*
'Ta-Nehisi Coates is the young James Joyce of the hip-hop generation' Walter Mosley
This was the abyss where, unguided, black boys were swallowed whole, only to re-emerge on corners and prison tiers
Ta-Nehisi Coates grew up in the tumultuous 1980's in Baltimore known, back then as the murder capital of the United States.
With seven siblings, four mothers, and one highly unconventional father: Paul Coates, a larger-than-life Vietnam Vet, Black Panther, Ta-Nehisi's coming of age story is gripping and lays bare the troubled, often violent life of the inner-city, and the author's experience as a young black person in it
With candor, Ta-Nehisi Coates details the challenges on the streets and within one's family, especially the eternal struggle for peace between a father and son and the important role family plays in such circumstances.
This book is a raw and unfiltered look into Ta-Nehisi Coates' upbringing in West Baltimore. It's like he's giving you a real talk about the struggles, the lessons, and the moments that shaped him. The way he connects his personal story to broader social issues is powerful. It's a heavy read, but it's packed with insights and authenticity. This book hit different for me, especially with my interest in social justice and urban experiences. It's a 5 for sure.
