My Government Means to Kill Me

A Novel

By: Rasheed Newson

Narrated by: Jelani Alladin

2022 New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, Long-listed
2022 The Philadelphia Inquirer Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

This program is read by actor, singer, and dancer Jelani Alladin, who originated the role of Kristoff in Broadway's Frozen musical.

A fierce and riveting queer coming-of-age story following the personal and political awakening of a young gay Black man in 1980s New York City, from the television drama writer and producer of The Chi, Narcos, and Bel-Air

“Full of joy and righteous anger, sex and straight talk, brilliant storytelling and humor, Rasheed Newson’s debut novel has given us the story of Trey, set against the history of 80s queer Black New York, AIDS, and the movements that changed the era. A spectacularly researched Dickensian tale with vibrant characters and dozens of famous cameos, it is precisely the book we’ve needed for a long time. That—and a rollicking read! What more could you want?” —Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less

Born into a wealthy Black Indianapolis family, Earl “Trey” Singleton III leaves his overbearing parents and their expectations behind by running away to New York City with only a few dollars in his pocket. In the city, Trey meets up with a cast of characters that changes his life forever. He volunteers at a renegade home hospice for AIDS patients, and after being put to the test by gay rights activists, becomes a member of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP). Along the way Trey attempts to navigate past traumas and searches for ways to maintain familial relationships—all while seeking the meaning of life amid so much death.

Vibrant, humorous, and fraught with entanglements, Rasheed Newson’s My Government Means to Kill Me is an exhilarating, fast-paced coming-of-age story that lends itself to a larger discussion about what it means for a young gay Black man in the mid-1980s to come to terms with his role in the midst of a political and social reckoning.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2022 Rasheed Newson (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Loved it!

I loved that this story didn't end like I expected it to end. I loved that the protagonist is from Indianapolis, IN, which was born and raised. Loved that he moved to NYC to find his own way of life to be himself and discover who he was. Looooved the plot, the characters, themes and time period. There were MANY hot, steamy scenes throughout this novel. The historical aspect of it was a very nice touch, too. This point of view of a well-spoken, educated, young Black, Gay Man during the AIDS epidemic/crisis was very refreshing. Trauma did not define him. Thank you!!! Jelani Alladin was an EXCELLENT narrator for this novel. Perfect choice! His storytelling was engaging, sexy , and fun to listen to. His character choices were believable. Spot ON!!! I hope to hear more of him as a narrator in future audiobooks to come. 😍👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Must Read

Vibrant and entertaining story. I thought it would be too heavy, I was so wrong. The characters in Newson’s story made me feel like I knew them, the lessons in each chapter are very relevant for our times.
This was so good I bought a physical copy.

superb!

wonderful on all counts!!!! It was awesome and well done! The narrative execution was excellent!

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

The writing was captivating! The author did a great job at developing the characters
and taking the readers directly to New York in the 1980s during the AIDS epidemic. The book kept a good pace and many interesting themes were covered.

Wonderful book

Wonderful book about gay life at the beginning of AIDS epidemic. Great performance. One if those books that stay with you long after you finish the last chapter.

Clear and descriptive narrative

this was a great book made me laugh made me cry and I'm forever changed.

I enjoyed it in the end

There is so much to love about this book. The narrator was great. The subject matter was important. The history should be heard. The second half was very gripping.

The first half of the book, I felt, was a little all over the place. I think that is because they were trying to fit a lot of history and historical events and references into one person’s story and because of that, it was a little hard to focus on.

I wish the plot had been a little more streamlined but the second half was great.

Bruv! This was AMAZINGLY GREAT!! BUT....

...that ending?!! Meh!
Man when I tell u this book was awesomely well written...bih, it was! it reads like a memoir...yet it's fiction...with historical references (that are mostly fictionalized)....wow! it was like a gay black Forrest Gump sans Forrest, Bubba Gump & Jenny!
Fantastic job, Rasheed..from this Native Harlemite!
But that ending tho....I need a season 2 or sumthin!!! the rice musta been boiling over and u were done with this book! *9.135 of 10 stars*

By far one of the best books I’ve ever read

This book will forever be up there for me with other transformative reading experiences, such as I know why the caged bird sings, the grapes of wrath, 1984, to kill a mockingbird, and many more. I cried, I laughed, I cried some more. I wanted to hug Trey and tell him everything would be alright. This book is brilliant

It’s so good

I’ve cried so much with this one! Made me so emotional from the beginning to end.