Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir
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.
In "Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir," Brian Broome pens a poignant and searingly honest account of his life, navigating the complexities of race, class, sexuality, and identity in America. He delves into his upbringing in a working-class Black family in Ohio, the challenges and triumphs of his adolescence, and his eventual journey to becoming a successful writer and teacher.
Broome's prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of his experiences with raw emotion and authenticity. He writes about his strained relationship with his father, a Korean War veteran grappling with PTSD, and his mother, a devout Christian woman struggling to hold her family together. He explores his own struggles with depression, anxiety, and self-acceptance, as well as his experiences with racism, homophobia, and poverty.
At the heart of "Punch Me Up to the Gods" is Broome's unflinching exploration of his sexuality. Growing up in a conservative religious community, he grapples with his attraction to men and the fear of being ostracized. He writes about his first same-sex encounter, the shame and guilt that consumed him, and his ultimate decision to come out as gay. His journey towards self-acceptance is both painful and inspiring, as he navigates the complexities of being a Black, gay man in America.
Throughout the memoir, Broome weaves together personal anecdotes, historical context, and cultural commentary, creating a rich tapestry of American life. He writes about the impact of mass incarceration on Black communities, the HIV/AIDS crisis, and the enduring legacy of racism in the United States. He also explores the power of literature and education as tools for empowerment and liberation.
"Punch Me Up to the Gods" is a poderoso and moving memoir that offers a unique perspective on the intersections of race, class, sexuality, and identity in America. Broome's writing is both deeply personal and universally resonant, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary American literature, memoir, or social justice.
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