Ben Marcus's books The Age of Wire and String and Notable American Women were considered "experimental" fiction because of his unconventional use of...
Continue »
Filled with both humorous and tragic personal anecdotes about growing up biracial in 1980s Baltimore when "black" and "white" were the only categories allowed, David chose, at a very young age & before he could even be aware of the implications of his decision, to pass for white. I read the entire book in one sitting, and slept through my alarm clock's ringing the next morning as a consequence, but it was so worth it. Throughout the book, Matthews addresses the episodes of racism he experienced, from the the off-hand comments of his peers to the incidents of violence (and yes, he was mugged a few times!), and his growing longing to find out more about the mother he never met, but whose Jewish identity he embraced like a life-preserver throughout his adolescence and young adulthood. Of the several new memoirs I have read recently, none is as emotionally gripping and heartbreaking as this book. The book ends on a cliff-hanger, which will leave the reader praying for the sequel to be released ASAP, to find out what happens next. This book should be a popular pick for book clubs everywhere. 5 stars, and highly, highly recommended!
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(6 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.
Don't Miss
Customer Comments
ruis2002 has commented on (1) product.
Ace of Spades: A Memoir by David Matthews
ruis2002, May 8, 2007
Filled with both humorous and tragic personal anecdotes about growing up biracial in 1980s Baltimore when "black" and "white" were the only categories allowed, David chose, at a very young age & before he could even be aware of the implications of his decision, to pass for white. I read the entire book in one sitting, and slept through my alarm clock's ringing the next morning as a consequence, but it was so worth it. Throughout the book, Matthews addresses the episodes of racism he experienced, from the the off-hand comments of his peers to the incidents of violence (and yes, he was mugged a few times!), and his growing longing to find out more about the mother he never met, but whose Jewish identity he embraced like a life-preserver throughout his adolescence and young adulthood. Of the several new memoirs I have read recently, none is as emotionally gripping and heartbreaking as this book. The book ends on a cliff-hanger, which will leave the reader praying for the sequel to be released ASAP, to find out what happens next. This book should be a popular pick for book clubs everywhere. 5 stars, and highly, highly recommended!(6 of 10 readers found this comment helpful)