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A beautifully realized graphic memoir about growing up biracial/Black in America. Bell has always turned his struggles and insights into powerful words and pictures, thereby also earning a living and a Pulitzer prize. But as his baby son gets older, he has to reckon with everything he's learned in order to prepare him for what he'll face. Very touching and meaningful.

#NFNovember

An essential book that probably won't be read by the people who need to experience it. Bell documents his 50 years in America as a black man, reflecting on all the shit you can probably guess he's been through, as well as the impact of major social events. I was tempted to post the page where he has "the talk" with his son, but while beautifully written, it is the culmination of the whole story, so it didn't feel right. You just need to read it.

A brilliant memoir of casual racism in Bell‘s life and America in general. The GN format is stunning at times, a testament to Bell‘s skill at capturing the horror, genius, hate, and love that makes up our society. Everyone should read this, full stop.

I can‘t express how powerful and important this book is. The author tells the story of his life and how racism and white supremacy has impacted him and so many others. It tells how those things continue to impact him. The art is stunning and creates a deeper emotional response than words alone. This book has been banned and yet it should be assigned reading. As America continues to red-facedly reckon with its past, (yet only in a half-glass⬇️

This opens in 1981 with his white mother giving 6 year old Darrin The Talk, and ends in 2020 with him giving his own 6 year old son The Talk. For a GN, it‘s not a quick read, or an easy one, because the weight of 40 years of processing the ways in which racism and racially motivated behavior affect his life are fatiguing even just to read about. #blackhistorymonth

A Queer and BIPOC edition of Friday Reads on my booktube channel:
https://youtu.be/pTv1X7WGrII?si=QUgxtzumRWyHXHYx

Biracial American political cartoonist Darrin Bell‘s heartbreaking coming of age memoir is also full of hope and humour. His white mother gave him “The Talk” about her fears for his safety on account of racism, a lesson that was reinforced through his experiences over the years. Later, he must have The Talk with his own young son. If white people don‘t understand why The Talk is necessary, we only have to read this book. A powerful graphic memoir.

One of the many great things about Darrin Bell‘s memoir is learning about his work as an editorial cartoonist.

Bell‘s use of colour is stunning. Most of this book is in moody monochromatic wash, so pages like this with the police car lights really pop. And of course the colours intensify the emotional impact, the sudden fear.

Why doesn‘t it look like a REAL gun?

Finally got this book from the library, and flew through it. So many things threw me in for choosing this book to read first - to break my book slump. I‘m so glad I did. I related to this book, to this author, for SO many reasons. Absolutely amazing. Great read and great illustrations. Loved it

I flew through this graphic memoir today, but I‘m still digesting. Absorbing, powerful, clear-eyed. Bell‘s vibrant and expressive artwork is so effective. Definitely recommend!

The writing, the art, and the content makes this graphic novel so good. Vulnerable and honest, the reader is guided through Bell‘s life, things he didn‘t understand as a youth, to his lessons he learned through his experiences. Wonderful.

Powerful GN.

... And then they'll treat me like a human being?

Apparently, humor does not always defuse tension.

This graphic memoir is very good so far.

Some Saturday #bookmail! Very excited for tagged graphic memoir. We‘ll be discussing for my IRL book club later this summer. And the Harvey is one of our upcoming #GoldenAgeCrimeClub reads.