Pieces of a Boy: A Few Queer Things that Happened

by Sam Morris

In this unfiltered collection of essays, Morris fearlessly confronts the complexities of personal history with raw honesty. With each page, he unveils profound and witty revelations, navigating through the emotional landscapes of estrangement, elite performing arts education, Berlin hedonism, and the rollercoaster of love and lovelessness. Morris paints a vivid portrait exhuming the past, revisiting violences endured, often through a darkly comic lens, in this compelling exploration of the human experience.

Genres: Queer, Essays, Nonfiction, Memoir

268 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2024

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was going to pass over this book in silence but changed my mind - I found this 'work' awful because what came over most strongly for me was falsehood and the way the author's presents his past has clearly been tailored not for reasons of art for for reasons of commerce. This is literature of the Ophray Winfrey school of bildungsroman were everything is told to fit a cliche of modern expectations.

Maybe I am just too old to ever be in sympathy with today's world - but that doesn't mean I can't spot the meretricious and the false - because that is what this dreadful book is.

[Teddy]

Ja. Tja. Ik snap niet hoe mensen dit 5 sterren hebben gegeven maar dat zal wel aan mij liggen. Dit is een bundel van onsamenhangende super persoonlijke verhalen. Als hij dit wil delen dan is dat natuurlijk helemaal oké maar het komt over alsof hij mega getraumatiseerd is en nog lang niet geheeld. Ik vraag me af of hij over 10 jaar nog wil dat mensen dit lezen. Prima om dagboek verhalen te gebruiken (zo leest het) maar als je een boek publiceert moet dat ook gewoon ge-edit worden? Niet alles is interessant om te lezen... Als er gewoon een thema was uitgekozen om over te schrijven, of ervoor gekozen was om er één geheel van te maken in plaats van allemaal losse verhalen zou het al verbeteren. Anyway!!

[Jess Esa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I follow Sam on TikTok and have always connected with a lot of his experiences as a fellow gay, neurodivergent person from the UK, but I'm so glad I finally got around to reading his memoir, which turned out to be very thoughtful and raw. Full respect to Sam for going through what he has, from child actor to sex worker and all of the turbulent experiences with his mother — which was unfortunately hugely relatable to me and strangely healing to read someone else experiences. Sam's a great storyteller who (also relatably) has lived about ten lives already. Really glad I read this.

[Jess Putney · Rating 5 out of 5]

even with the grammar errors, cant wait to read next book if there is one otw, you have a strong voice keep writing Sam ❤️

[Tom Ashton-Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetic elements were slightly Rupi Kaur-esque, which is ironic given that the prose often read quite poetically.

[John Cano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a such a deeply personal and tragic read. As a gay millennial I related to many of Sam’s feelings of suppressed feelings.

There’s a passage about his resentment of the Baby Boomers that really spoke to me. I’ve had almost the exact same stream of thoughts and frustrations about the state of this late-stage capitalist society.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ‘my plan now is to find purpose, because in purpose, self love will prosper’

[Tom Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guys this was rlly good! I love gay people so much

[Adam Guyett · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5 - some great stories in here - an easy enjoyable read

[Jemima Grimwade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of very insightful and honest essays. Sam comes across as a highly likeable, interesting character. I think I especially enjoyed it as every last opinion he voiced felt like it had been plucked right out of my own brain! The only thing I would say is that the book is not very polished…it can ramble a little and it’s structure was slightly messy but then again, I guess that’s sort of part of the charm. Definitely recommend!

[Hannah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flew through this in a few days! Wish I could have every queer person read this, Sams eloquently explained their life and trauma in such beautiful detail leaving no stone unturned turned and no hiding of their “flaws”. One of the most open and honest books I’ve ever read.

The commentary on sex work, trauma and loss is so important and well explained, I feel truly encouraged to tell all my queer/SW/neurodivergent friends to really indulge in this read!!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a distance between the emotional expression and the experience lived that reads here as claustrophobic, and is one in which our diarist Mr. Morris seems to be searching to address, or at the very least, expose, as one might when asking for help finding a lost object. To be so vulnerable as to share what the lost item was in order to be able to ask for help in its recovery is the predicament of our author. Here the object might be a sense of place, belonging, and self-understanding either through obsessive drugs taking, furtive and numerous random encounters, reacquaintance with a somewhat-estranged long time lover, a family torn apart, or during lock-down as we all were under the duress of during Covid-19. The understanding within the paradox of claustrophobia while exploring these various options and especially perhaps while being isolated from; daily life, friends, family, lovers, work, etc., is what seems to be what Morris is searching for.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays touched me deeply. Confronting my own loneliness and trauma dealing with a narcissistic mentally ill mother, managing being undiagnosed autistic and just dealing with a world, where there is no safe haven given to you - having to push forward trying to heal, this book made me feel seen and less alone in the world. There were passages where I couldn't stop laughing, others, where I had to give the book a rest and reflect on Sams journey and how I related to it. I was immediately hooked - probably in part because I was at the very festival the book starts with, but throughout the whole book Sam took me on his journey through his life in a way that felt deeply sincere, vulnerable and courageous. I thank Sam for writing this so much!

[Katie Landon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got me out of my reading slump - really enjoyed the pace and style. It’s not a linear memoir, which some people may find annoying, but I kind of relate to that as my thoughts are never linear either.

Followed Sam for a while on social media and he’s always had such an intriguing and open presence that I couldn’t help but be really attracted to. He’s lived a few lives, and I loved knowing more about certain circles. It’s made me think about certain things in my life.

The actual feel of the book is gorgeous too - felt so nice in the hand whilst reading.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morris is refreshingly honest in this memoir that wonderfully ties together snapshots of his life so far, detailing wild experiences and tumultuous journeys that often contain lessons and a unique perspective. Morris has a way of balancing the heavy themes with lightheartedness and hope, so I felt that even with all the terrible things that Morris talks about, there’s always something to hold onto.

[Larry Beaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I’ve been following Sam online for years so it was very interesting to learn more about his early life. I love his style of writing. He’s very unique in his turn of phrase. I finished it in just a few days. My childhood and life is not nearly traumatic but there are so many small similarities I saw being a gay man growing up around the same time. I highly recommend especially for other gay men in their 30s or 40s.

[Nihar Mukund · Rating 5 out of 5]

[I decided to make it a 5, for it has carved a space in my head]

The book's format as a five-act stage play centring a flawed and hurting protagonist seems fitting, even if the emotions articulated function in a resistant cycle, rather than as a linear path towards finality.

I genuinely loved this book, for even when some of the experiences felt repetitive (not unnecessary), the writing remained stellar, encouraging me to turn to the next page.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down. Immersive, raw and unfiltered. Like having a conversation and confiding to a good friend. I could definitely relate to Morris and his viewpoint.

The language is easy but expressive and strong. The tone is casual, even when describing some scarring and traumatic experiences.

Definitely want to read again and hope to read more from the author.

[Hannah May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fantastically written piece of self truth. Sam writes so beautifully about his life and the lessons he has learned from the people he interacts from. I think everyone with a narcissist parent should read this book.

[Isaac A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not normally a non-fiction reader but I enjoyed this.
A real and eye-opening view into a queer artist and his life. He sure paints a vivid picture, discussing grief, depressive episodes, anxiety, sex love and drugs.
A solid book.

[Laura North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the tone and pace, it kind of felt like the part of the after party where find yourself trauma dumping to a stranger - which is arguably the best bit of the night. Sam did a beautiful job with this book and I’d love to read more from him.

[Lewis White · Rating 5 out of 5]

A raw and beautiful collection of essays that detail the post COVID reality of living in Britain as well as an analysis of what it means to be queer and engage in certain vices. This resonated with me quite strongly and would recommend!!

[Evie]

If someone can speak so poetically on TikTok, of all platforms, I need to read their essays. I think the way Sam writes and talks is so effortlessly beautiful - tackles trauma, queerness, addiction, neurodiversity in such a delicate manner.

[David B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sentimental asf & was living for the memoir-style!!! I genuinely cried over almost every chapter and read this sooo fast. I felt this author did a really fantastic job at encapsulating the queer experience into a short read. Beautiful. Wow!

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

so real so full of learning and love.

[Reece James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this within a matter of days. A brave piece of work and a remarkable accomplishment

[Aria Serplus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful collection of stories that made me laugh, cry and everything in between. Love Sam’s input on the life of being queer.

[Cooper T-G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book.

[Marios Alexandrou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir, raw, creative, artistic, real, relatable and immersive!

[Akaash Krishnan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
The poetry gets a bit RK but his story is honestly rly smth and had me productively thinking ab balancing queer “culture” w unchecked escapist hedonism.