Member Review
Review by
Sara B, Reviewer
Didn't Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannaham.
Thank you Netgallery for a copy for an unbiased review.
Before the review proper, for any trans woman out there, I see you. This book sees you. For any Black trans women out there; this is especially true.
Although please only read if in the right headspace as it will likely be triggering in many different areas for you.
This book is one that required me to step away a few times just to catch my breath, and really absorb what was being said on the pages.
First the one thing that did frustrate me throughout the whole book, and why I have given it 4/5 instead of 5/5 stars. The way it would jump from 1st to 3rd person, often in the same sentence, made it really off putting at times. I could have dealt with the switching across had it be more defined, but when you start reading and it is, say in 1st person, and a half dozen words later, it suddenly switches out to 3rd person, or vice versa - it detracted from the book for me.
Having said all this, the book in itself was fantastic. Often dark, filled with traumatic spaces, yet also moments of delight, that were both raucous and comedic. It highlighted the poor treatment of trans people within America, but importantly, within the prison system. How though Carlotta was unbowed, despite all she suffered. It could be at times, devastatingly sad, yet it was often beautifully uplifting.
While the base of the story might not be unique, the delivery that James Hannaham gives us most certainly is, and it brings with it important messages.
I took my time to read this, and I'm glad I did. I feel trying to just push through without pause does this book an injustice. Take time. Absorb what this book is telling us. It is important.
An extremely solid 4/5 stars 🌟
Thank you Netgallery for a copy for an unbiased review.
Before the review proper, for any trans woman out there, I see you. This book sees you. For any Black trans women out there; this is especially true.
Although please only read if in the right headspace as it will likely be triggering in many different areas for you.
This book is one that required me to step away a few times just to catch my breath, and really absorb what was being said on the pages.
First the one thing that did frustrate me throughout the whole book, and why I have given it 4/5 instead of 5/5 stars. The way it would jump from 1st to 3rd person, often in the same sentence, made it really off putting at times. I could have dealt with the switching across had it be more defined, but when you start reading and it is, say in 1st person, and a half dozen words later, it suddenly switches out to 3rd person, or vice versa - it detracted from the book for me.
Having said all this, the book in itself was fantastic. Often dark, filled with traumatic spaces, yet also moments of delight, that were both raucous and comedic. It highlighted the poor treatment of trans people within America, but importantly, within the prison system. How though Carlotta was unbowed, despite all she suffered. It could be at times, devastatingly sad, yet it was often beautifully uplifting.
While the base of the story might not be unique, the delivery that James Hannaham gives us most certainly is, and it brings with it important messages.
I took my time to read this, and I'm glad I did. I feel trying to just push through without pause does this book an injustice. Take time. Absorb what this book is telling us. It is important.
An extremely solid 4/5 stars 🌟
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