Heavy cover art

Heavy

An American Memoir

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Heavy

By: Kiese Laymon
Narrated by: Kiese Laymon
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About this listen

Kiese Laymon grew up a hard-headed black son to a complicated and brilliant black mother in Jackson, Mississippi. From his early experiences of sexual violence, to his suspension from college, to his career as a young college professor, Laymon charts his complex relationship with his mother, grandmother, abuse, anorexia, obesity, sex, writing and ultimately gambling.

In Heavy, by attempting to name secrets and lies that he and his mother spent a lifetime avoiding, Laymon asks himself, his mother, his nation and us to confront the terrifying possibility that few know how to love responsibly, and even fewer want to live under the weight of actually becoming free.

A defiant yet vulnerable memoir that Laymon started writing when he was 11, Heavy is an insightful exploration of weight, identity, art, friendship and family.

©2018 Kiese Laymon (P)2018 Audible, Ltd Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences

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All stars
Most relevant  
This book brings to life the struggles black men (and women) face in America more than anything else I've read, watched or listened to.

I found the unique writing and narration style difficult at first but once my brain caught up, it made Kiese's experiences come alive.

A wonderful book

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Love this book, topics of balance, love and brutal honesty, the black experience and reflection.

Masterpiece of honesty and hope

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The narration by the author takes it from being a great book to amazing. I'm so happy that Iistened to it. Deep, heartbreaking, honest, wise.

Amazing

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Powerful vital work. Beautifully written. Moving and brave. A book of self reflection through the eyes of Black man raised by a single woman. A commitment to the Love, memories and imaginations of black children

Powerful vital work

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Phenomenal. This is one of those books that will stay with you. It will seep into your soul.

Phenomenal

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So full of feeling while listening to this book. Hard to hear in many places but not left traumatised because the writing felt so complete. Not shy. Somehow left with a sense of pride and strength and positive empowerment for and from the themes raised.

Big, strong and Heavy. captivating.

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Absolutely outstanding. What a book! So raw and honest and insightful. Beautifully written and narrated

Outstanding

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“I wanted to write a lie” and so begins the truth of Kiese’s life. It’s a powerful account: of shame, addiction, eating disorder, and family.. On growing up “heavy” and black, of being loved and shamed and made fearful at the same time . It’s also a powerful political polemic on the structural racism in America .

I loved it, a hugely compelling listen, totally transfixing.

Incredibly powerful, hard hitting autobiographical account of love and shame

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sad and triumphant in over coming all obsticals to achieve and become a brilliant writer

an honest a account of life

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I wanted to write a lie, you wanted to read a lie’... Layman’s book is ‘Heavy’!!!! Here is a memoir demonstrating the struggles of a black child / man growing up in America. His inner struggles with his self image, his addictions, his complex relationship with his Mother which seems to underpin the books narrative. At times I felt sad by his explanations of his childhood, adolescence and even as a man with his mother’s emotional ‘control’ she asserted over him. Here is a soul which is obviously very troubled but it is a memoir worth reading

This book is ‘Heavy’

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