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Altogether Different: A Memoir About Identity, Inheritance, and the Raid That Started the Civil War
If you could choose between being Black and being white, what would you do?
As a child, Brianna Wheeler, the mixed-race descendant of Dangerfield Newby-first of John Brown's raiders to die at Harpers Ferry in their bid to end slavery-unconsciously chose whiteness, unaware that she had the choice at all. As an adult, following the deaths of her mother and grandmother, Brianna struggled with her own identity, convinced that her lasting legacy would be the rejection of her own Blackness.
Then, in 2020, a racial reckoning rekindled her connection to both her heritage and her grandmother's lifelong work of preserving the stories of Dangerfield and the rest of her ancestors, leading Brianna to confront both long-held family dynamics and her own place in history-from a new perspective.
A unique blend of memoir, creative nonfiction and illustration, Altogether Different untangles the complex connection between the stories we tell ourselves and the histories preserved for us.
As a child, Brianna Wheeler, the mixed-race descendant of Dangerfield Newby-first of John Brown's raiders to die at Harpers Ferry in their bid to end slavery-unconsciously chose whiteness, unaware that she had the choice at all. As an adult, following the deaths of her mother and grandmother, Brianna struggled with her own identity, convinced that her lasting legacy would be the rejection of her own Blackness.
Then, in 2020, a racial reckoning rekindled her connection to both her heritage and her grandmother's lifelong work of preserving the stories of Dangerfield and the rest of her ancestors, leading Brianna to confront both long-held family dynamics and her own place in history-from a new perspective.
A unique blend of memoir, creative nonfiction and illustration, Altogether Different untangles the complex connection between the stories we tell ourselves and the histories preserved for us.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2023
1 person is currently reading
711 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 7, 2024
It takes a lot of courage to write an honest memoir, to expose yourself in such a way. Brianna boldly did this in a beautiful writing style with the soft ‘arrogance’ of a smart person who knows their worth, something I’ve always admired in writers.
Even though it is based on personal experience, I think the author raised awareness about topics people should be educated on while also touching universal themes, so that every single reader will find something to relate to.
“Did she want to know that history or did she want to escape it?”
-The importance of legacies intertwined with the eternal struggle between the old and the new generations and their points of view.
-The identity conflict, who you are and who you choose to be when there’s the pressure on you of having to make a choice.
-Making those in charge of us proud and the realization our choices will have consequences others might suffer from.
-The ‘fatal flaw’ of being torn in between 2 worlds that are “Altogether Different” , having to be part of both and trying to unite them.
Brianna Wheeler’s debut memoir is wonderfully written with the ability to make you see and feel her grief, pain, frustration - “the cacophony of emotions too chaotic to unpack” - and will make every single one of us wonder what are the most important things in life. I think it is an essential read and I couldn’t recommend it hard enough!
Here are some quotes that I really loved and I think they emphasize the main themes as well as Brianna’s genius:
“I grasp at my Blackness, only to find it inextricably intertwined with whiteness”
“Righteous versus petty, volleying forever”
“My worth has been tied to my identity for all my life in this tangle of emotions and memories that I’m just beginning to understand”
“Now, I only exist through unfamiliar eyes I can’t see myself through”
“Perhaps identity is mercurial. Perhaps it can be reframed and redrawn like history, through the lens of a storyteller”
“I’m the steward of a singular lens through which to see my place in history. This is the heirloom”
“I was no longer drowning in self pity, greed, and resentment. I was swimming in relief.”
Even though it is based on personal experience, I think the author raised awareness about topics people should be educated on while also touching universal themes, so that every single reader will find something to relate to.
“Did she want to know that history or did she want to escape it?”
-The importance of legacies intertwined with the eternal struggle between the old and the new generations and their points of view.
-The identity conflict, who you are and who you choose to be when there’s the pressure on you of having to make a choice.
-Making those in charge of us proud and the realization our choices will have consequences others might suffer from.
-The ‘fatal flaw’ of being torn in between 2 worlds that are “Altogether Different” , having to be part of both and trying to unite them.
Brianna Wheeler’s debut memoir is wonderfully written with the ability to make you see and feel her grief, pain, frustration - “the cacophony of emotions too chaotic to unpack” - and will make every single one of us wonder what are the most important things in life. I think it is an essential read and I couldn’t recommend it hard enough!
Here are some quotes that I really loved and I think they emphasize the main themes as well as Brianna’s genius:
“I grasp at my Blackness, only to find it inextricably intertwined with whiteness”
“Righteous versus petty, volleying forever”
“My worth has been tied to my identity for all my life in this tangle of emotions and memories that I’m just beginning to understand”
“Now, I only exist through unfamiliar eyes I can’t see myself through”
“Perhaps identity is mercurial. Perhaps it can be reframed and redrawn like history, through the lens of a storyteller”
“I’m the steward of a singular lens through which to see my place in history. This is the heirloom”
“I was no longer drowning in self pity, greed, and resentment. I was swimming in relief.”
October 17, 2023
I just finished this book and I'm in AWE of Brianna's self-awareness, her authenticity, and the way she can weave words. I loved the history of her family, her questions of identity, and the notes of motherhood in this book. She has a way of telling her story in a way that's relatable and heartbreaking and inspiring and uplifting.
As people say, history repeats itself and family is forever. Brianna is the product of her brave ancestors – Dangerfeld, her mom, and her grandmother – and history is repeating itself and Brianna's family will remain with her forevermore. Brianna is bravely looking at her past and shaping the future with her son.
While this book tackles big topics, it's easily accessible. We can all relate to the questions of identity, family bonds, and race. We can all get something from her words and appreciate her art.
You MUST add this one to your list!
As people say, history repeats itself and family is forever. Brianna is the product of her brave ancestors – Dangerfeld, her mom, and her grandmother – and history is repeating itself and Brianna's family will remain with her forevermore. Brianna is bravely looking at her past and shaping the future with her son.
While this book tackles big topics, it's easily accessible. We can all relate to the questions of identity, family bonds, and race. We can all get something from her words and appreciate her art.
You MUST add this one to your list!
December 27, 2023
I had to introduce Brianna Wheeler at her Powell's event a couple of months ago and skimmed the book as I worked on my intro. Sometimes I'll catch myself getting sucked in when I do this, which is definitely what happened with Altogether Different. Wheeler has a beautiful gift of a voice: accessible and warm and vulnerable, with razor-sharp insights. The generous way she reflects on her upbringing and struggles with understanding her own identity gains your trust and makes you want to keep reading. By the end, I felt a genuine appreciation for her thoughtful (and well-researched) story and even teared up a little. A beautiful memoir.
October 26, 2023
This memoir is authentically raw and beautifully written. Brianna struggled with being both black and white and which side should she represent. Her honesty about her struggles and dealing with her family was evident that she had an uphill battle. She also talked about her family tree and history dating back to the civil war. I loved that she laid everything out and held nothing back. I really felt her emotions and confidence of who she became and her non apologetic attitude of being genuine to her self.
October 25, 2024
I had the good fortune to hear Briana speak at an event in Harpers Ferry about John Brown’s raid. She is a dynamic speaker and laid great groundwork for accessing her book while speaking about her life and reading from her book at that event. I was. compelled to purchase her book and read it and loved it. I feel like I learned so much from her writing and was along for the ride with her. Highly recommend!
January 30, 2024
I wish I could write a review as beautiful as Brianna Wheeler’s memoir Altogether Different. In Ms. Wheeler’s memoir, she knits together stories about her identity, grief, inheritance, and the Civil War. She uncovers truths about herself while digging up the roots of her history, an inheritance more valuable than extra zeros in her bank account. It truly is a must-read for all.
December 4, 2023
Brianna Wheeler’s very relatable memoir about identity, grief, loss, and family turmoil is punctuated by the fascinating life story of her ancestors plight to free his family from pre-civil war slavery. As Brianna explores her biracial identity and family history, her candor and wit help create a closeness between reader and author, making the story feel intimate and familiar. Her tale from beginning to end leaves the reader satisfied, as we get a firsthand view of her transformation throughout the story and a feeling of coming home at the end of a long journey.
January 21, 2024
I won this as a goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review...
Wheelers' writing is raw, honest, and beautiful. Her words are so easy to read, but the organization felt very disjointed. Her life mixed with the history of her ancestors was a great idea on paper, but the overall structure felt too jumpy and forced.
Wheelers' writing is raw, honest, and beautiful. Her words are so easy to read, but the organization felt very disjointed. Her life mixed with the history of her ancestors was a great idea on paper, but the overall structure felt too jumpy and forced.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews