Michael Arceneaux

Though I’ve never read any of the author’s previous work, I still wanted to try reading this and it was a very entertaining read. Michael’s style is very conversational, like he is just talking to us about all his feelings. His issues about his father’s abuse, his very religious mother, his paranoia about intimacy - all heavy topics are written in a very humorous way. I was obviously expecting a little more political commentary since Michael is very opinionated, but the book concentrates more on his many unsuccessful dating attempts quite graphically. This book definitely wouldn’t have worked for me if not for his quick wit and self-deprecating nature while discussing the most impactful situations in his life. I would definitely recommend it.… (plus d'informations)

Like many essay collections, this one has some excellent ones and some that didn’t work for me. But one thing I can’t deny is that the author is absolutely hilarious and sarcastic and I had many laugh out loud moments. It’s even more fun if you listen to the audiobook.

However, the fun nature of the writing doesn’t take away from the seriousness of the topics he is discussing - crippling student debt, making not so happy career choices to keep paying the bills, having to choose between eating a meal or paying the next installment, dealing with bill collectors all the time, probably not going to the doctor in lieu of not being able to afford insurance, believing oneself not worthy of love or happiness or any good thing because being in debt is considered a moral failure, trying to drown the sorrows through other vices - every issue that author talks about and the situations that he has experienced tugs at your heartstrings. He is also rightfully critical of the political and capitalist systems that are responsible for the insurmountable debt that students find themselves in with no silver lining in sight.

His essay that he dedicates to his mother and says how he can never repay her for all that she has done for him really touched me, and also made me realize my own extreme privilege in graduating without any student loans and how I can’t truly understand the despair he talks about. And I’m still amazed at the irreverent tone he manages to maintain throughout.

But if there’s one thing that he wishes everyone takes from his book and one advise that I truly believe we all can use - it’s that learn to forgive yourself and make time for your own happiness. Whatever problem we have isn’t going anywhere, but that doesn’t mean we should deprive ourselves of the little things that give us joy.… (plus d'informations)

I don't know quite how to rate this. Part of me would rank it under 4 stars. In part, it is my own fault--I thought it was going to be a little heavier on the research/historical context/whatever angle than memoir. My fault--not Arceneaux's. But as such, I lost concentration on a chuck of it that fell more into his pop culture critiques, especially when they felt only loosely tethered to the topic at hand. Also, the media I've sought out by peers, relative-age-wise, on this topic of heavy student loan debt seems to be from people who've made it to LA and/or NYC. They've got hustle and aspirations that I don't have, and while I commend them for that, it also alienating, as someone nearing 40, living in the much cheaper Midwest, but still struggling to make ends meet.

But that also speaks to the secondary harm caused by crippling SLD. It can make you jealous, willing to pick apart others for their successes and choices, and Arseneaux examines that emotional side effect here. He delves deep into the guilt and anxiety SLD can create. The constant second-guessing of ourselves, the judgment we assign to ourselves, compounded by that assigned by the rest of America. The conundrum that, yes, we created this burden for ourselves, but it was also created by decades...centuries...of a capitalistic, racist, misogynist, delusions-of-meritocracy America. And if we've learned anything, our government would rather have us argue among ourselves than work together to make fundamental change to make life more equitable. That is what you'll find here, as seen through Arseneaux's lens as a gay Black man. I should also mention that his humor comes out particularly well on audio, so give that a listen if you can.… (plus d'informations)