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My Beloved Other: A Memoir of Love, Race, and Optimism in a Time of Denial
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26A timely graphic memoir about the far-reaching impact of racism in today’s society, as seen through the lens of one couple’s interracial marriage.
Where does the concept of “the other” come from? And who truly benefits when we allow fear of the other to steer our society? Through charming banter and illuminating anecdotes from their personal lives, writer-artist Nick Abadzis and psychotherapist Angela Watson chronicle their nearly forty-year interracial relationship, their respective family histories, and their ongoing experiences with anti-Black racism in Britain and America, from the overt racial taunts of childhood bullies to the more subtle biases of the adult workplace.
In the midst of a dangerous political backlash that threatens to derail decades—if not centuries—of movement towards a more equitable and diverse world, My Beloved Other puts questions of race front and center, and turns a critical eye to the systems that seek to exploit our differences. Above all else, it challenges readers to do what can sometimes feel keep hope alive for a future where difference is embraced as a source of unity, not division.
Where does the concept of “the other” come from? And who truly benefits when we allow fear of the other to steer our society? Through charming banter and illuminating anecdotes from their personal lives, writer-artist Nick Abadzis and psychotherapist Angela Watson chronicle their nearly forty-year interracial relationship, their respective family histories, and their ongoing experiences with anti-Black racism in Britain and America, from the overt racial taunts of childhood bullies to the more subtle biases of the adult workplace.
In the midst of a dangerous political backlash that threatens to derail decades—if not centuries—of movement towards a more equitable and diverse world, My Beloved Other puts questions of race front and center, and turns a critical eye to the systems that seek to exploit our differences. Above all else, it challenges readers to do what can sometimes feel keep hope alive for a future where difference is embraced as a source of unity, not division.
272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication August 11, 2026
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two people have a first date. They are on either side of Westerminter Bridge in London, and between them is a protest that turns into a riot. But Nick doesn’t want to miss his date, so he charges on through to meet up with Angela. Angela is black of Jamaican descent. Nick is white, of Greek and white British descent.
That is how things start. From there, they talk about how the world sees them, and how they see the world. There are some bad times in London, to be sure, but they really notice people looking at them strangely, in New York, where they eventually move to.
There are many things explored in this book. One is how the slave trade benefited Great Britan, with its sugar trade. There is also information about the Windrush generation, where the UK asked people from the Caribbean to come and rebuild the country, after World War II.
It is an interesting study in racism, and how ingrained it is in society, to the point that people who don’t experience it just can’t see it.
Fascinating book, with some history that I didn’t know about, including racist marketing materials that were standard in England.
Thanks to Netgalley and First Second for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 11th of August 2026.
That is how things start. From there, they talk about how the world sees them, and how they see the world. There are some bad times in London, to be sure, but they really notice people looking at them strangely, in New York, where they eventually move to.
There are many things explored in this book. One is how the slave trade benefited Great Britan, with its sugar trade. There is also information about the Windrush generation, where the UK asked people from the Caribbean to come and rebuild the country, after World War II.
It is an interesting study in racism, and how ingrained it is in society, to the point that people who don’t experience it just can’t see it.
Fascinating book, with some history that I didn’t know about, including racist marketing materials that were standard in England.
Thanks to Netgalley and First Second for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 11th of August 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.
The art in this graphic novel is SO cool and it feels so personal! It was a 3 star for me just because it was not exactly what I thought it was from the blurb and it didn't hit as much as I hoped it would. Being a memoir, I was hoping to find more solidarity on how hard it is right now to exist with systemic racism in an interracial relationship. This book held all of that but also felt more like a book I would give to a friend who wanted to understand the history of racism and how it rears its ugly head today too.
The book is so in depth on numerous facets of the subject it addresses and I learned new things, because racism in the UK (especially with terms and phrases) crops up differently than it does in the US. I think patrons at our library will really enjoy it, I just know to not completely pitch it to them as a memoir now! It's like a memoir + social commentary + dissection of racism, which is cool as hell.
I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
The art in this graphic novel is SO cool and it feels so personal! It was a 3 star for me just because it was not exactly what I thought it was from the blurb and it didn't hit as much as I hoped it would. Being a memoir, I was hoping to find more solidarity on how hard it is right now to exist with systemic racism in an interracial relationship. This book held all of that but also felt more like a book I would give to a friend who wanted to understand the history of racism and how it rears its ugly head today too.
The book is so in depth on numerous facets of the subject it addresses and I learned new things, because racism in the UK (especially with terms and phrases) crops up differently than it does in the US. I think patrons at our library will really enjoy it, I just know to not completely pitch it to them as a memoir now! It's like a memoir + social commentary + dissection of racism, which is cool as hell.
I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Amazing read!!! A story about facing challenges of how the world view you as a couple. This book is released in such a great time. Racism nowadays is a big issue. When you found that right one dont give in to other’s prejudice. It hard to find optimism sometimes but in the end it will all be worth it if you just stay true to each other. Gotta stay positive these days.
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance~
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book in advance~
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
War is all about dropping bombs on children and the innocent for maximum long-term effect.
My Beloved Other breaks my heart and gives me hope all at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews