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62 pages 2 hours read

Heavy

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2018

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Book Brief

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Kiese Laymon

Heavy

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

257

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Jackson, Mississippi • 1980s-2000s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Heavy is Kiese Laymon's 2018 memoir addressing his complex relationship with his mother, his experiences of racism, and his struggles with body image and addiction while growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, and later as a successful academic. Sensitive topics include physical and sexual violence, eating disorders, and gambling addiction.

Emotional

Challenging

Contemplative

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.5

45,060 ratings

90%

Loved it

7%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Kiese Laymon's Heavy is praised for its raw, candid portrayal of race, weight, and family, delivering a powerful narrative that's both personal and universal. Some reviewers note its challenging and intense subject matter. While Laymon's prose is lauded for its strength and beauty, others find the emotional heaviness overwhelming. Overall, Heavy is recognized as a significant and impactful memoir.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Heavy?

Readers who appreciate powerful memoirs tackling personal and societal issues would enjoy Heavy by Kiese Laymon. Fans of Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson will resonate with Laymon's exploration of race, weight, and family dynamics. This book appeals to those interested in authentic, introspective narratives.

4.5

45,060 ratings

90%

Loved it

7%

Mixed feelings

2%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

257

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Jackson, Mississippi • 1980s-2000s

Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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