Punch Me Up to the Gods

A Memoir

By: Brian Broome

Narrated by: Brian Broome, Robin Miles

WINNER OF THE KIRKUS PRIZE • PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' PICK • A TODAY SUMMER READING LIST PICK • AN ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY BEST DEBUT OF SUMMER PICK • A PEOPLE BEST BOOK OF SUMMER PICK
A poetic and raw coming-of-age memoir about Blackness, masculinity, and addiction

“Punch Me Up to the Gods obliterates what we thought were the limitations of not just the American memoir, but the possibilities of the American paragraph. I’m not sure a book has ever had me sobbing, punching the air, dying of laughter, and needing to write as much as Brian Broome’s staggering debut. This sh*t is special.”
—Kiese Laymon, New York Times bestselling author of Heavy

“Punch Me Up to the Gods is some of the finest writing I have ever encountered and one of the most electrifying, powerful, simply spectacular memoirs I—or you—have ever read. And you will read it; you must read it. It contains everything we all crave so deeply: truth, soul, brilliance, grace. It is a masterpiece of a memoir and Brian Broome should win the Pulitzer Prize for writing it. I am in absolute awe and you will be, too.”
—Augusten Burroughs, New York Times bestselling author of Running with Scissors

Punch Me Up to the Gods introduces a powerful new talent in Brian Broome, whose early years growing up in Ohio as a dark-skinned Black boy harboring crushes on other boys propel forward this gorgeous, aching, and unforgettable debut. Brian’s recounting of his experiences—in all their cringe-worthy, hilarious, and heartbreaking glory—reveal a perpetual outsider awkwardly squirming to find his way in. Indiscriminate sex and escalating drug use help to soothe his hurt, young psyche, usually to uproarious and devastating effect. A no-nonsense mother and broken father play crucial roles in our misfit’s origin story. But it is Brian’s voice in the retelling that shows the true depth of vulnerability for young Black boys that is often quietly near to bursting at the seams.

Cleverly framed around Gwendolyn Brooks’s poem “We Real Cool,” the iconic and loving ode to Black boyhood, Punch Me Up to the Gods is at once playful, poignant, and wholly original. Broome’s writing brims with swagger and sensitivity, bringing an exquisite and fresh voice to ongoing cultural conversations about Blackness in America.

©2021 Brian Broome (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Compelling and compassionate

Fabulous writing! A voice I could listen to all day. My only complaint is that I didn’t want it to end

Poetry

Broome’s writing is poetry in a story format. As he reads his words I was transported into an uncomfortable space of an unfamiliar life. This life took hold deep inside me and opened a new door leading toward understanding.

Soul-baring & life changing.

This book, this story and the courage Brian exudes in telling it, stripped me bare of all the things that I thought made me, us, human. It performed a “hard reset” on the part of my heart that stores all of the things people have told me that I could not and should not be. Every word he says, weighed on my bones, until each one cracked under the pressure, but this makes me feel reborn, not broken. I don’t exaggerate when I say that, this story saved my life- the way I can always count on words to do. I made a promise to Brian, myself and every oft forgotten and dismissed, battered, bruised & bloodied little boy out there, to be more gentle with myself, as I work to unlearn all of the lies I was told about myself that I believed true. From the deepest part of me, Thank you, Brian. A true masterpiece.

Stunning!

This book left me equal parts soaring and gutted. I was moved to tears to rage to laughter to joy in a matter of minutes. I was amazed by his prose and the juxtaposition of his story alongside the young child on the bus. Beautifully written! Thank you, Brian Broome!

A Teue Testament of Survival

The author knows how to catch your attention with graphic illustrations of his story. I was memorized from start to finish.

He made me laugh, cry, sorrowful, and reflective of my own treatment of my son as well as other black men. The struggle is real for men and he painted a clear picture of the trials and tribulations men face when they are not considered masculine. Great read everyone.

just plain great writing

The content may not be for everyone given that there was a fair bit of raw and gritty discussion of drug use and sexual interaction but the writing was so good. Several of Brian's turns of phrases just blew me away. Definitely I would recommend this.

Incredible story telling.

The way Brian draws you in to his life and shares some of the most relatable concepts of being an outsider and wanting to be part of. I truly felt captivated, it made me feel like I had lived through some of these journeys with him. 20/10 highly recommend.

enjoyed it

Seems like an important book for a better understanding of one of life's greatest challenges, understanding ourselves and others. The sooner we start to think about how people came to be 'their developed self', the more peace we gain in that ever developing understanding.

Absolutely incredible

Most impressive memoir I’ve ever read. Searingly honest, poetic.

Tough listening in parts due to its graphic depictions of abuse, addiction, and self loathing.

Highly recommended.

I have never rated a book so highly!

This author was absolutely amazing in both his performance in reading the audible and most importantly in his haunting and uncomfortable honest writing. I remain in awe. Every black person, every gay person and every being should listen to or read this work. It's painful, relatable, sometimes funny and always real.
I 1000% recommend.