Review: Men We Reaped

Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a beautifully written piece of prose. In the book, Ward recounts the death of several friends and family members over the course of five years. It is a book about loss and deeply seeded grief, however, it's more than just a personal narrative about a series of tragedies. Many of the deaths speak to larger societal problems that are endemic in many African American communities throughout our country. But it's not a condemning narrative. Ward recognizes personal responsibility as well as the systems in place that leave many African Americans feeling like they have no other options. Through this memoir, Ward attempts to process and understand why the lives around her keeping getting cut short. It's heartbreaking and poignant and a narrative that you will not soon forget.

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