so-so
I was so excited about this memoir that I didn‘t just add it to my TBR. I preordered it. Now, I can‘t remember why! I don‘t remember where I read about it. And I don‘t know how I didn‘t realize that Walker would, as Kirkus puts it, “make extensive use of Christian theology.” God is a mystery and so am I, apparently — even to myself. 😅 👇🏻
monalyisha 1/2: At first, I thought her blunt exploration of her life and its lessons in relation to God, to Jesus, and to the Bible was revolutionary. It plays into her essay (poem?) about how very Black she wants to be (while not being limited or defined by her skin alone); her religion is a part of her culture. It‘s very much NOT a part of white Millennial culture (especially in New England)…but religion is always a topic that‘s fascinated me. (edited) 10mo
monalyisha 2/3: But then, I have to admit, I got a little bored. Not by her life! Her life stories are rich and deep. Her interdisciplinary critique of race, class, and mental health in America is sharp. But I was a little turned off by how much the essays felt like attending a Bible Study. (edited) 10mo
monalyisha 3/3: I can‘t pin down why this didn‘t work better for me than it did. It had a lot in common with Hijab Butch Blues (which I *loved*). I think it‘s because Walker focuses so heavily on not just the divine nature of God (and of humanity) but on particular passages and excerpts. Regardless, some pieces of some essays were fab. And sometimes, I found myself eager to be done. 10mo
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