Review Detail

Whew. This book. THIS. BOOK.

I had to take my time with this one, Walela makes the reader FEEL it. When they are angry, you will be angry. When they are in despair, you will be in despair. I caution to read this when you are in a healthy headspace.

Spoiler: Walela survives to write this memoir, but they do so despite the US healthcare system, not because of it.

Walela takes us along as she faces both aggressive blood cancer and the biases and assumptions our healthcare system make against anyone who is not a cis white male, and the emotions that go along. They weave their story through poetry and essays that are lyrical and gut-wrenching.

Overall, it doesn't feel right to say I love this book. I hate that it needed to be written, but I love that it was and that it is as raw and real as cancer. I love that it calls out the major flaws in both the medical system and in humanity. This is a gorgeously written book that will take you through emotions you're uncomfortable with, but it is also important and should not be missed.