Black Friend

Essays

De: Ziwe

Narrado por: Ziwe

From the writer crowned one of the smartest, funniest voices in modern America, this hotly anticipated debut collection of essays offers “a precious glimpse into how Ziwe’s uniquely fearless mind functions” (New York Magazine).

Ziwe made a name for herself by asking guests like Alyssa Milano, Fran Lebowitz, and Chet Hanks direct questions. In Black Friend, she turns her incisive perspective on both herself and the culture at large. Throughout the book, Ziwe combines pop-culture commentary and personal stories that grapple with her own (mis)understanding of identity. From a hilarious case of mistaken identity via a jumbotron to a terrifying fight-or-flight encounter in the woods, Ziwe raises difficult questions for comedic relief.

From Black Friend’s introduction:

“Today, I learned that my book is ranked as the #1 new release in ‘Discrimination and Racism’ on Amazon. Wow. This is a huge honor, especially considering my stiff competition in the selfpublished manifestos space. Unfortunately, this victory is bittersweet. I worry that people may get the wrong idea and think that I am pro-racism when in actuality, I am indifferent. Still, I’d love to thank everyone who made this possible. I solemnly swear to write the most discriminatory book in American history. I hope I can make you proud.

“Just kidding...I will not marginalize you...unless that’s your kink. This book of essays offers moments of extreme discomfort (and the subsequent growth) in my life around the role of ‘black friend.’ Black friends come in all shapes and sizes. Yet the archetype is often a two-dimensional character meant to support the non-black protagonists’ more complex humanity. Some black friends exist as the comic relief, like Donkey in any of the Shrek movies. Some are the sassy friend, like Louise from St. Louis in Sex and the City. Still others are the inexplicably sagacious companion, like Morpheus in The Matrix. It’s impossible for these individual portraits to reflect my complicated reality. To start, they are fictional. One of them is a talking ass. I do not exist just to move plot. While I am a supportive friend, I am not a supporting character. I am the protagonist of my perfectly imperfect story.”

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Ziwe Fumudoh (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

Like talking with your smart funny bestie

The best audiobook narration I’ve experienced. I wish more audiobooks were done in this formatting.

Feel so seen

The last notes about your work resonated with me so much as a first Gen student

Everything

Perfect combination of humor, insight, and goo-goo-ga-ga! Touched on a lot of important subjects while relating to them via her own experiences or takes. Ziwe is hysterical and I loved turning to this when everything in the world feels like it’s falling apart— just the right amount of personal that wasn’t too heavy. Also her narration is so soothing and lovely.

Ziwe is the GOAT, HISTORY WILL VINDICATE HER !!!

This book makes me mad. I'm mad that her show got cancelled. I'm mad that all I have now is this book and not wonderful clips of her interrogating not just race but concepts of gender and bringing new ways to be funny. I'm also mad that a 19 year old is my hero/role model.

This book was greater than I imagined it would be.

Something for everyone

This book has a story for everyone. I was surprised at how much of these stories rang true for me in my own life, but overall the most resounding theme is that we are all sharing in a very messy, but authentically human experience.

Ziwe as always is amazing!

Such a great memoir in essays collection! Funny, heartfelt, insightful! She infuses her writing with her signature wit and style while asking important, larger word questions.

Thoughtful and clever

I love the hilarity interwoven with thought provoking themes and black stories. Ziwe is a treasure.

Hilarious and eye opening

Essentially perfect in my opinion, looking forward to more essays by Ziwe. Thank you so much, 15.

amazing book and read

I enjoyed the personal essays and connection to global issues that need to be addressed.

A modern pioneer

I listened to Black friend in what felt like 2 hours. It was like listening to the best comedy special I've ever heard. I laughed, plotted to out hexes on those who wronged my girl, took notes, rewinded, cried and cried from laughing. Incredible story telling, jokes, reflection and execution. I feel seen and represented.

STOP BEING POOR!