Customer Reviews

American Dreams

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

possibly one of the most powerful and moving books i've ever read. this was given to me as a gift by a friend who assured me it would change my life. it made me cry, laugh, get angry, grow stronger. incredibly poetic - it will hit you hard.

When I read a book like "Push" and "Sapphire" it takes me totally out of my comfort zone. Once you are out of your comfort zone then what? Well for me I continue reading, I think that books are meant to be read and we can learn something about someone else and their life. Many people do not even like the thought of an association with people in these some of these books. They like to think of them as someone's dark story and not a real life. Well unfortunately this is someone's life and all our stories need to be shared and told. Some far more than others.

I read far more than the average person and I read to learn something I do not already know (and I do). I want to be a part of the change when change is necessary. (and isn't it always necessary) I would like to share some of my life with some of yours.(to learn from each other) There are few books that I have read that I have not learned something from, usually something important. I would like to thank the writers for their efforts, they are wonderful. Even the awful ones are wonderful because they have shared something with me that I needed to know. As I read Precious's story and how little she had from everyone in her life I sat and cried, actually sobbed. But she valued everything she was given and everything she learned, she was so much braver than me. How I wish I had the ability to reach out there and help the people like Precious who need so much and have so little. and so few who want to help them. Thank God for people like Blu Rain who are there and give so much.

OMG This was the most depressing book I have ever read! I understand Sapphire's goal, and I'm not knocking it at all. It's well written and put together. All the poems are properly sequenced and they VIVIDLY tell the story of the abuse in homes across the world. You could easily insert any girl into the shoes of the characters portrayed in American Dreams. It's a sad reality that Sapphire has opened the world up to. I applaud her, but I felt bombarded by the images she depicted. Maybe that was her goal. If so, she succeeded. Im thoroughly disgusted. I could look at my boyfriend without disgust for a whole week after reading this book!
After reading American Dreams I couldnt look at any man without wondering if he had, or would ever sexually abuse a child.

After seeing "Precious", I wanted to read more of "Precious'" author. I am not one who is discouraged from foul language or content. I would have enjoyed this in my late teens or mid-20's during my rebel years.
As a 36 year old, I was setback due to the language used by characters in essays/poems composed here. I laughed at some of the dialogue used until it got old.
I felt sorry for some of these ignorant people who don't get past their stupidity. Opened up my eyes to ignorance is learned from generation to generation. Therefore, sterilization should be imposed on all of humanity after third child or if you can't even take care of yourself.

THE ABSOLUTE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER EVER READ OF POETRY AND SHORT STORIES THAT EXPLORE ISSUES OF SEXISM AND RACISM AND OVERALL HUMAN-ISM'S. THIS IS A TREASURE, THE MOZART, THE COLTRANE, THE HENDRIX OF BOOKS, CREME DE LA CREME. SAPPHIRE ADD A NEW #1 FAN TO YOUR LIST!!! YOU ARE THE BOMMMMMBBBBBB, BABEE!!!!

Deeply engaging. The book is hard to put down, but you almost have to in between chapters so you don't get sucked into the intensely emotional prose. Sapphire wrenches your gut and makes you feel guilty, grateful and proactive. The prose somehow allows you to reminisce about your past and feel glad you aren't alone.

sapphire's collection of poems and short stories is a powerful collection, though the poems are much more so than her short fiction. they are intense personal experiences and by the time you finish the collection, you have a good idea of what happened to her during her life. it would be interesting to read work by her that does not relate to racial bigotry, abuse or lesbianism, but that seems to be where she is able to draw the raw energy that she writes with.

Art can be bludgeoning and people have become desensitized to many of the issues on which the writer focuses due to the sensationalism of the news. This is a beautiful book, which those who choose not to feel may find harsh. Life can be harsh and Sapphire's art reflects that. This is art. Feel.

This was a nice collection of disturbing poems. I enjoyed this more than 'Push'--the freedom of this form seems better suited to Sapphire than the novella form. The subject matter (incest, rape, murders, violence against women) is consistently depressing, and seems at least partially autobiographical; the starkness of the language, the descriptions of violent events, etc., makes this an uncomfortable reading experience. But it's worthwhile, if not quite 'life changing'.

Just reading some of this author's so called poems could depress anyone. I realize some of the things she writes about happens but who wants to read about it in a poem. A poem is suppose to be beautiful. This stuff is crap too depressing....sorry......not something I want to curl up to and read on a rainy day. Life is depressing enough woman.