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448
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Portsmouth, Virginia • 1960s-1980s
1994
Adult
18+ years
Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall details his life growing up in a working-class Black neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia during the 1960s and 1970s, his descent into crime due to systemic racism and lack of opportunity, his incarceration, and eventual self-improvement through education and resolve, leading to a career in journalism despite enduring persistent racial challenges. The book discusses topics such as crime, incarceration, and racial discrimination.
Gritty
Challenging
Emotional
Dark
Informative
6,619 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Nathan McCall's Makes Me Wanna Holler receives praise for its raw and powerful storytelling, reflecting on the systemic challenges and personal growth of an African American man. Critics commend its authentic voice and social relevance but note the graphic content and harsh realities depicted may be unsettling for some readers.
Readers who would enjoy Nathan McCall’s Makes Me Wanna Holler are likely drawn to deeply personal and socially reflective memoirs. Fans of Richard Wright’s Black Boy or Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me would appreciate McCall’s raw narrative on race, redemption, and resilience in America.
6,619 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Bampoose (Sadie Benton)
McCall’s grandmother, who served as the family's foundation and worked tirelessly as a domestic worker for white families.
Lenora Alvin
McCall’s mother who, alongside his stepfather, raised him and his siblings with love and guidance despite difficulties in openly discussing life’s realities.
Bonnie Alvin
McCall’s stepfather and Navy retiree who instilled a strong work ethic in McCall, despite frequent disputes during McCall's youth.
Elizabeth Miller
McCall’s high school love and mother of his son, Monroe; she was a teenage model with whom McCall shared a turbulent relationship.
Monroe McCall
McCall's son with Elizabeth Miller, who moved to California with his mother but maintained a relationship with McCall in his youth.
Debbie
McCall’s second wife, whom he married after they had two children; their relationship was fraught, culminating in a bitter divorce.
Scobie-D
A feared figure in McCall’s neighborhood known for his toughness and early use of guns.
Plaz
An older local who committed serious acts against people close to McCall, ultimately resulting in his imprisonment.
Shell Shock
McCall’s childhood friend and partner in crime, who later found legitimate work after leaving the drug trade.
Mo Battle
A fellow inmate who taught McCall chess and imparted life lessons during McCall’s time in jail.
Jim
A life-sentenced leader within the penitentiary who influenced McCall’s personal growth and self-perception.
Danny Baum
A white, Jewish journalist and McCall’s friend from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, noted for his open-mindedness and cultural exchange with McCall.
448
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Portsmouth, Virginia • 1960s-1980s
1994
Adult
18+ years
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