51 pages • 1 hour read
Men We Reaped
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Book Brief
272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Mississippi • 1980s-2000s
2013
Adult
18+ years
1020L
Super Short Summary
In her 2013 memoir Men We Reaped, Jesmyn Ward pays tribute to five young Black men from her hometown of DeLisle, Mississippi. She honors their lives and untimely deaths in individualized chapters while exploring her personal and family history amid grief. Ward seeks to understand the societal forces leading to their deaths and chronicles the impact on her life and community. Sensitive topics include violence, systemic racism, substance use, mental health struggles, and parental infidelity with underage individuals.
Melancholic
Emotional
Contemplative
Dark
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
28,154 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward is widely praised for its powerful and emotive prose, highlighting the personal and communal impact of systemic racism and poverty. Critics commend Ward's raw and honest storytelling, though some find the narrative structure challenging. Overall, it's acknowledged as a moving and important memoir that fosters significant reflection.
Who Should Read Men We Reaped?
Readers who would enjoy Men We Reaped by Jesmyn Ward are those interested in emotionally powerful memoirs that explore themes of race, loss, and resilience. Fans of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates will appreciate Ward's poignant storytelling and intimate narrative style.
28,154 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Joshua Adam Dedeaux
Joshua Adam Dedeaux
Jesmyn Ward's only brother, who faces societal pressures regarding masculinity and turns to selling drugs during periods of unemployment.
Ward’s Mother
Ward’s Mother
A devoted single mother who works tirelessly as a housekeeper to provide for her children and instills resilience in Ward.
Ward’s Father
Ward’s Father
A charismatic yet inconsistent figure in Ward's life, whose dreams and parenting methods influence her brother Josh's upbringing.
Roger Eric Daniels III
Roger Eric Daniels III
A close family friend of Jesmyn Ward, who battles addiction and whose life reflects themes of generational struggles within the community.
Demond Cook
Demond Cook
A friend of Jesmyn Ward who, despite a stable upbringing, embarks on a journey to break free from cycles of community violence.
Charles Joseph Martin
Charles Joseph Martin
Ward’s athletic cousin who experiences instability in his life and, despite his talents, becomes ensnared in the challenges surrounding him.
Ronald Wayne Lizana
Ronald Wayne Lizana
A charming young man Ward encounters during high school, whose struggles with depression and addiction contrast his outward demeanor.
272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Mississippi • 1980s-2000s
2013
Adult
18+ years
1020L
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