I am not a fan of swearing. I begin with this point because I find it hard to read a book which has a lot more swearing than just once in a while very other page. I should have understood given the title, but I could not get past the first couple of pages. I tried several times in the year I have had the book on my queue, but I think the more adventurous or less prudish person than me will get more out of this book.
I was unable to read the book, which is why I cannot provide a full length review, but I do not think that should prevent people from checking out the book.

the premise really is captivating and hannaham's energetic style did grab me. the stream of consciousness did get to me, in that it really didn't do much for me as a reader. readers who are keen on it or feel less confused by it should definitely pick this one up

A real rollercoaster read!
For me as not native english speaker, it took a second to get into the flow of the text, but as soon as I got the hang of it, the book threw me directly into the life, new freedom and struggles of Carlotta. I felt a whole bag of mixed emotions and I loved the hell out of it. This book is intelligent, heartfelt (not exactly the word I am looking for, but it will do) and very political aswell!

In this “razor-sharp” and “dangerously hilarious” novel that “hooks readers from the beginning” (Los Angeles Times), a trans woman reenters life on the outside after more than twenty years in a men’s prison, over one consequential Fourth of July weekend.

Carlotta Mercedes has been misunderstood her entire life. When she was pulled into a robbery gone wrong, she still went by the name she’d grown up with in Fort Greene, Brooklyn—before it gentrified. But not long after her conviction, she took the name Carlotta and began to live as a woman, an embrace of selfhood that prison authorities rejected, keeping Carlotta trapped in an all-male cell block, abused by both inmates and guards, and often placed in solitary.

If you come to this book with an open mind and can be a nonconformist for a few hours then you will get a good solid tale of a struggle to live one’s truth. And you will meet an array of odd characters as witnesses to Carlotta’s fight to be free, in every sense of the word.Pick this up just for the sheer hilarity and off the edge style of writing. This is a book not to be just read, but to be experienced.

There are some great (female) characters in this novel about a transwoman coming out of a male prison after more than 20 years: Carlotta (formerly Dustin), but also Doodle, grandma Frona and Lou. Luckily, there’s also a lot of humour. I did give a shit about Carlotta, but the language (black urban English?) became annoying to me halfway through. Also the switch between first person and third person narration didn’t always feel natural or logical.
Thank you Europa Editions and Netgalley UK for the ARC.

A bold statement when it's only the end of September, but I think this will be my top read of 2022. I thought this was an incredible novel: Carlotta's story had me totally engaged, her voice was pitch perfect and this novel was flawless. I found this impossible to put down and highly recommend it. All of the stars!

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 🌟