Punch Me Up To The Gods

A Memoir

By: Brian Broome

Narrated by: Brian Broome, Yona Harvey, Robin Miles

WINNER OF THE KIRKUS PRIZE • WINNER OF A LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD • NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' PICK • STONEWALL HONOR BOOK • NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, KIRKUS REVIEWS, LIBRARY JOURNAL, AMAZON AND APPLE BOOKS • TODAY SUMMER READING LIST PICK • ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY BEST DEBUT OF SUMMER PICK • PEOPLE BEST BOOK OF SUMMER PICK

A raw, poetic, coming-of-age “masterwork” (The New York Times)

Punch Me Up to the Gods introduces a powerful new talent in Brian Broome, whose early years growing up in Ohio as a dark-skinned Black boy harboring crushes on other boys propel forward this gorgeous, aching, and unforgettable debut. Brian’s recounting of his experiences—in all their cringe-worthy, hilarious, and heartbreaking glory—reveal a perpetual outsider awkwardly squirming to find his way in. Indiscriminate sex and escalating drug use help to soothe his hurt, young psyche, usually to uproarious and devastating effect. A no-nonsense mother and broken father play crucial roles in our misfit’s origin story. But it is Brian’s voice in the retelling that shows the true depth of vulnerability for young Black boys that is often quietly near to bursting at the seams.

Cleverly framed around Gwendolyn Brooks’s poem “We Real Cool,” the iconic and loving ode to Black boyhood, Punch Me Up to the Gods is at once playful, poignant, and wholly original. Broome’s writing brims with swagger and sensitivity, bringing an exquisite and fresh voice to ongoing cultural conversations about Blackness in America.

Compelling and compassionate

Fabulous writing! A voice I could listen to all day. My only complaint is that I didn’t want it to end

Poetry

Broome’s writing is poetry in a story format. As he reads his words I was transported into an uncomfortable space of an unfamiliar life. This life took hold deep inside me and opened a new door leading toward understanding.

just plain great writing

The content may not be for everyone given that there was a fair bit of raw and gritty discussion of drug use and sexual interaction but the writing was so good. Several of Brian's turns of phrases just blew me away. Definitely I would recommend this.

Incredible story telling.

The way Brian draws you in to his life and shares some of the most relatable concepts of being an outsider and wanting to be part of. I truly felt captivated, it made me feel like I had lived through some of these journeys with him. 20/10 highly recommend.

enjoyed it

Seems like an important book for a better understanding of one of life's greatest challenges, understanding ourselves and others. The sooner we start to think about how people came to be 'their developed self', the more peace we gain in that ever developing understanding.