Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant... and Completely Over It

by Lester Fabian Brathwaite

A debut book from Entertainment Weekly writer and former Out magazine editor Lester Fabian Brathwaite, Rage is a darkly comedic exploration of Blackness, queerness, and the American Dream, at a time when creative anger feels like the best response to inequality.

One romantic hopeful had greeted Lester Fabian Brathwaite on a dating app with this “You into race play?” Being young, queer, gifted, and Black, Lester has found that his best tool for navigating American life was gallows humor. If you don’t laugh, you cry—or, you summon your inner rage. With biting wit, Lester’s book Rage interrogates all the ways that systemic racism and homophobia have shaped our society. All to pose that proverbial Can a gurl live?

His book Rage is one part memoir, one part cultural critique, one part live grenade. He contrasts his tragic-comedic love life with the ideals he had formed from binging (straight, white) Hollywood depictions. And he is quick to side-eye the misogyny and internalized homophobia that some people reveal in statements like “masc for masc” on dating profiles. Lester also dives deep into representations of queer life from Ru Paul’s Drag Race to The Birdcage (Robin Williams was a snack in Versace), and explores our cultural understanding of Black genius through stories of Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone.

Lester’s razor sharp voice, coupled with his searing social commentary on topics such as dating, rejection, racism, sexuality, identity, and more, offers an increasingly divided world an engaging and original read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Essays, LGBT, Queer, Audiobook, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Sherwood Smith]

It took me a long time to read this book, not because there was any fault in the prose. Far from it. Brathwaite writes with clarity, humor, and a straightforward awareness of so many difficult questions about life in contemporary America.

The first half of the book deals with being gay, gay sex, bodybuilder issues, all in the context of being Black and gay. The second half branches out wider into the fretful, intersecting circles of being gay today, being Black today, Black rage--white rage, which is a threat to everyone--gender, queerness, and the eddies that whirl off from these circles.

In talking about gay spaces that are supposed to be save for gay folks, but there's safe for white gays and safe for Black gays, he says:

But darker skin comes with the expectation of violence, as does a lower economic class, since those Black gay clubs are often in the hood. Even when they're not, the expectation is that the bar will be patronized by poorer people, despite the existence of an exorbitant cover and watered-down drinks. Being Black in the gay community feels more second-class than being Black in America as a whole. In the gay community, you're actually encouraged to settle for separate but less-equal, whether it's a bar, or the apps, or health services. But on the other hand, you're also expected to stand with and support your gay community, unquestioningly, regardless of how your community treats you.

He finally addresses the issue of rage, and how he handles it. How it might be handled; his empathy for all those raised angry, and its toxic effects, is there, caught fast like a beacon in the deluge.

An articulate, sobering, worthwhile book for any reader who would like to read more Black voices.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published September 19, 2024.

So, I don’t know. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, a former writer for “Entertainment Weekly” (oh, how I miss the hard copy of that magazine) isn’t even always that mad…more despairing of some of his life choices. He’s young, queer, gifted and black and filled with gallows humor. The book is described as a memoir:cultural critique/live grenade….it’s a bit of all of these, I suppose. Social commentary and pop culture mixed with anecdotes from his life.

There’s a LOT about his desire for white men and body builders, as well as black rage, masculinity, the treatment of gay people of color and his mom who died when he was fourteen. He is an NYU dropout from Guyana, maybe in his 30s. He has some sort of weird immigration status which means he can’t get a passport? I was curious about this, but he only covered it in passing while describing how he couldn’t go abroad to visit a crush.

“I personally didn’t do shit. I didn’t march. I didn’t vote.” Originally a WTF moment, but perhaps he cannot. In the same paragraph he says he’s getting “more radical” as he gets older, whatever that means. If he can’t vote he should probably say so, instead of letting people assume it’s because of apathy. Unless it’s because of apathy, in which case, WTF???

“the role of the artist seemed to be to chase the world, the get crushed by it.” Welcome to being human, my friend. It gets us all, in the end.

He seems so very alone, and very lonely, which are not at all the same thing. He speaks of cutting ties with his remaining family then says, “I’ve walked away from relationships before….to my understanding life is ephemeral, as are bonds we make…love fades, friendships and people die and you keep moving.” This seems to be a person in desperate need of a rudder. A relationship that is real, and lasts.

Of Trump lovers, “I fear they would rather America implode then relinquish their death grip on this country.” Agreed. I think what you have is a group of people who are the least able to admit they might be wrong, led by the king of never admitting failure. That will never, ever end well.

Who is this book for? I’m not really sure. Obviously those in his demographic, but I felt there was something so very sad about the author. He was a boy who desperately needed a mother who lost his too early and he’s never been able to find any sort of replacement for that relationship. He needs stable, sustaining love. I hope he finds it. (Dr. Brewster is not, in fact, a doctor of anything except jurisprudence, and that doesn’t really count, plus she has never treated the author, but she thinks they would have fabulous brunches together. Dr. Brewster would probably have the pancakes or a nice waffle.)

[Tell]

Funny, fast moving essays about queerness, Blackness, identity formation, and existing at the intersection of identities. I loved the essays where Brathwaite discussed pop culture- they were elegant and fun, and he's clearly a student of culture.

My only issues come in with the struggle it seems Brathwaite was having within himself: the waffling around desire and dating are a common struggle to many queer POC, but many ultimately make a decision. It seems the author hasn't quite figured out what the "right" thing to do is, and instead unloads on us in two separate chapters about the same thing where externalizing the struggle did not seem to help alleviate any of the confusion.

[Donna Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very first class I ever took at university was called Black Arts Black Power and it was transformative. This book would fit snugly right into that syllabus. It's part memoir, part academic review of culture and society, part philosophical musings - from a queer Black mellinial man who was born in Guyana and migrated to the US at age 4. The abundance of references to other greats like Huey Newton, James Baldwin and Nina Simone (obviously, given the title), and the clear, personal voice make this a perfect fit for that lexicon. No doubt Brathwaite is a great writer, but he's also a great thinker.

Is this a little thick? Yes, at times, for sure. But it's broken up with comedic relief, romantic exploits and, to use the word oft chosen in "Rage," debauchery. And the pace picks up after the first chapter or so, so if you're on the fence, stick with it!

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group and Tiny Reparations for the ARC of Rage. Lester’s writing captivated me from the get go. The story is a collection of Lester’s opinions on some deep and sensitive topics. It was refreshing to hear honest opinions unmuddled by the fear of retribution. There were times where I was unsure of the path, however, I thought that Lester was able to get their point across in away that was impressive and scathing. Definitely a book I recommend if you enjoy honesty and reading on deep topics.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to chew on. It takes time to absorb and is profound in its humanness and informed analysis. He’s a great reader (I did audiobook) and may get a print copy to reference in the future. Would definitely recommend.

[ColumbusReads]

I NEED THIS BOOK TO GET TO BE WITH A QUICKNESS! Like last week QUICKNESS! Darnit!

[Yash Majalikar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some parts memoir and some parts lit review - it was like a friend telling you about the evolution of black and queer representation in media over time. Frank and funny.

[Chyanne Diaries · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to DNF this one. His first chapter is ‘F*cking White Boys’ and his praise and desire to be with a white man is not working for me. It almost feels like begging

[Brittany]

This was my introduction to Lester Fabian Braithwaite, and I am really glad I read this! I appreciate the searing honesty, transparency, and vulnerability he displays in these essays. Yes, he discusses rage, but he also discusses an array of feelings he has about being Black and queer in the U.S. He provides so many important, nuanced points, and I highly recommend this to everyone!

Here are just a few quotations that stood out to me:

Though the Brits may have invented racism, America sure as shootin' perfected it. For that very reason I tend to gravitate towards foreign men. I find their racism less offensive, even when it is blatantly obvious. Like, I never need to know that I'm your first time with a Black guy, but I can assume as much if you're from the whitest part of Europe. And Europe is white as hell. The racism of foreign white boys is rooted in an unwitting ignorance devoid of history and context. And I can't fuck or fuck with deliberate ignorance. (13)



I can't fault someone for loving something in which they finally feel seen. All those films, prestige or trash or anywhere in between, served a function. I detest the phrase, "representation matters," because like "woke," "diva," or "democracy," it doesn't mean anything anymore."...I've always known representation doesn't matter if it's not of quality. (18)

This stands out to me because yessssssss, *authentic* representation matters *screams* !!!! And I'm not saying any identity is a monolith, but the reason "representation" is so important is because there's so little of it, and each rep we get in a film / book / etc holds so much weight because of the current lack of actual diversity across the board in entertainment. However, it'd be great to get to the point where we have such varied representation in every identity, and not every character holds so much weight (the responsibility of carrying that burden of representing a specific identity *well*)

[Anne Hartley Pfohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A courageous, outrageous look at being human, living in "America," being gay, Black, intelligent, an immigrant, and a product of popular culture. Brathwaite is brash, honest, unapologetic, touching and very funny. He is also a seriously gifted writer. Each chapter reads like an essay, a taste of his life, his mind, and sometimes even his heart that satisfied and often rattled my comfortable assumptions. I loved Memoir of a Blouse, his exploration of queerness, being a "kween," and performative masculinity in gay men, and specifically himself. I was deeply touched by his inquiry into his own search for love, his bad luck and resistance to it, and his referencing himself in the third person in The Impossibility of Love. The last two essays were powerful. In Silence Brathwaite pulls back the curtain on his childhood and family, and his willingness to break his silence and lay bare such intimate details and feelings gripped me deeply. In Rage, he explores the emotion that is all around us, and has shaped our lives for centuries - white male rage. He turns his gaze, his lens on the world around us, our "America," with a clarity that clears the smoke and shatters the mirrors. His use of popular culture - film, social media, television, art - was grounding and created connection and shared experience throughout.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read from a unique perspective on queer topics not found in other recent books, but could have used some tightening up.

There are not enough books on the gay immigrant experience, especially ones that aren't centered on Mexico or Europe. This is an excellent addition there. The author's immigrant experience impacts the entirety of his life, although it is not the focus of the entire book.

It was also interesting to find a modern book that discusses the intertwined topics of bodybuilding and steroid use among gay men. These are issues that clearly exist in the community, albeit more obviously in a historical sense, but are rarely talked about.

For readers looking for an edgier, Black History Month title, this might be check that box. The author discusses many notable people from history, including James Baldwin, in nuanced ways that aren't as stale as traditional biography or best-of books.

There are places in the text where it meanders a bit and could've been a little better if a little shorter. Even so, the author writes in a relatable voice that any marginalized person will recognize and feel drawn to. The structure of the book is particularly well done, following the subtitle of the book.

Overall, would recommend.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lester Fabian Brathwaite's debut Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant... and Completely Over It is an engaging commentary on black culture, particularly black queer culture mixed in with memoir. He touches on topics such as gay literature, body dysmorphia, interracial relationships, queer friendships, and the dominance of white culture. Some of the essays were more personal, where others read more takes on culture. Brathwaite moved to the US from Guyana at a young age, and that may also have an effect on how he views cultural touchpoints. I particularly enjoyed his essays about art, be it literature or cinema and how queer people were portrayed. Firstly, queer people of color were not highlighted for quite a while. He notes the film Moonlight as an important milestone in black queer art. He talks about queer people being portrayed as either villains or victims in cinema. He has a complicated relationship with white gay men. This was a pretty thought provoking book- I had not read anything by him (I don't think) in the past, but I enjoyed his writing and I'll be on the lookout for future work by him.

Thank you Tiny Reparations Books for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

They are a brilliant and interesting person, and they would be a fascinating conversational partner, but this book was sorely in need of an editor. This feels odd to say because everything is well expressed, but it also feels meandering more often than not, and that undercuts the writing. If I hadn’t been listening to the audiobook (narrated by the author himself), I know that no matter how much I liked it, I likely would’ve shelved it, half-read, because I would’ve dread picking, knowing I’d have to wade through sections that, again, are entertaining, but tedious. It seems curious that someone who made their career writing articles goes on so much - a change in form does not mean a change in the value of each word or anecdote. I wonder how many people his book lost before they were able to make it to the back half, where the heart of it lay.

If possible, highly recommend the audiobook of Rage, there's something in his weary voice that provides a lot more context than I imagine the book itself and made it easier to sit through a lot of wandering thoughts.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays was hilariously thought-provoking and relatable. Lester Fabian Brathwaite's voice is powerful and expressive. He's honest and as it is a memoir of sorts baised, at times. These are his experiences. I was very impressed with his ability to call people to the carpet. No one was ever a victim for too long.

The standouts (I highlighted most of the essay or had lots of notes) for me were F*cking White Boys, N*gger Lover, Memoir of a Blouse, The Impossibility of Love, Victim or Villian, Silence and Rage. Yes, that's more than half the essays in the book. I really did enjoy it. I've recommended it to several black men that I know will get something out of it. Mr. Brathwaite explores racism, classism, mental health, colorism, masculinity, and self-hate as well as homosexuality in this collection. It truly is layered, and I believe there is something for everyone.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Penguin for inviting me to read an early copy of this book.

I wasn't aware of Lester Fabian Brathwaite before reading this book but you can tell he has an amazing storytelling voice.

There's a well-explained nuance to everything the author has trouble with or even hates. I loved how it was structured as "I hate this bit" and then proceeded to spend time as to how he got to that level of hatred and it made sense.

The book simmers with the rage of the titles but goes full boil in the final chapter. The book allowed the reader to become comfortable with how the author was almost passive in his assessments so when he unleashes his grievances in the final, it ties everything up and I absolutely loved it.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant . . . and Completely Over It by Lester Fabian Brathwaite from Penguin Group Dutton/Tiny Reparations Books via NetGalley.

Although I am not queer or Black, the title, Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant . . . and Completely Over It by Lester Fabian Brathwaite, captured my attention and made me want to read this book. As a middle-aged perimenopausal woman, I am quite acquainted with rage. This book gave me a new and different perspective on rage. Lester has plenty of reasons to have rage. It is kind of funny that the underlying source of much of his rage is similar to mine even though we have very different life experiences. I found myself saying, "You are so right about that!" many times. You have to read the book to find out what that source is.

This book doesn't mince words and deals with topics that may make some people feel uncomfortable. Personally, I think it is good to challenge your thinking and open yourself up to new perspectives. There are things I will never truly be able to understand because I am not Black or queer, but I can get a better idea of where people are coming from with their own rage. Thanks, Lester!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Rage: On Being Queer, Black, Brilliant... and Completely Over It, Lester Fabian Brathwaite uses dark humor to take on race, sexuality, and the American Dream.

He blends personal essay with cultural commentary as he shares his experiences growing up as a queer Black man. He discusses the awkward realities of dating and how Hollywood still struggles to get the representation right.

Rage is a thought-provoking read that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about identity, society, and the quest for equality.​ His voice is strong and engaging, and I look forward to seeing more from him.

I received this advance reader copy of Rage from Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.​

[Elizabeth Garzon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -

Lester has such a strong, unique voice in both the literal sense and in the way he writes. His almost monotone, IDGAF voice threw me a little at first but I eventually got into the rhythm of the audiobook and was able to find the humor and sass in his story.

Lester isn't here to make friends or play by the rules. He lays out alllll his ugly thoughts, habits, and takes in Rage and it felt intimate to hear him say his deep dark thoughts out loud. Sometimes I couldn't tell if he was being serious or taking a joke a little too far for the plot of it all, and he continues to dance that blurry line throughout the book. Overall glad I read it but may not be everyone's cup of tea.

[Chéan · Rating 5 out of 5]

please. I need every man, woman, and child (probably not child) to read this book. Lester knows how to preach a word! Highly recommend to folx who are recently coming to terms with their queerness and the challenges that entails. The last 3 chapters are my favorite chapters, and I hope this author knows that some of these quotes will be permanently inked on my skin soon (if you see this Lester ilysm <3) It’s one of those books that you have to pay attention or you’ll miss a gem. I hope he continues writing in book form.

[Carol Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the tagline for this: one part memoir, one part cultural critique, one part live grenade, because it fits so perfect. Brathwaite uses cultural critique to ground his experiences with types of rage and subverts the idea that this emotion isn't a place for growth. His brilliant introspections highlight how intelligence isn't when you hide your rage, intelligence is picking your rage apart with a scalpel to see where the bleeding is coming from. Harass your librarians for this one.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from a giveaway on Goodreads… it’s not a book I would have otherwise read most likely, because what do I really have in common with a black, gay, immigrant male from Guyana? Turns out… we are all more similar than we are different.. for one.. after a knee injury he prefers crocs to heels.. (I prefer Hoka’s.. but still). I enjoyed reading his take on just about everything.. and was glad the book made its way to me. Will happily recommend to anyone looking for a new book!

[Hollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting collection of personal essays exploring the intersections of the authors identities and culture at large. I don’t think I was the intended audience for this book but found the essays to be insightful. The author’s voice is very clear and added a lot of dimension to the essays that at times felt like a friend was telling you their thoughts on different topics. A solid debut.

[Karli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of personal essays exploring the intersections of the authors identities and culture at large. I don’t think I was the intended audience for this book but found the essays to be insightful. The author’s voice is very clear and added a lot of dimension to the essays that at times felt like a friend was telling you their thoughts on different topics. A solid debut.

[Susie Dumond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, engaging, and nuanced essays on what it means to be a Black gay man, an immigrant, and a writer in contemporary America. Lester Fabian Brathwaite has a distinct narrative voice and so many great stories to tell. Highly recommend this collection for fans of Samantha Irby, J.P. Brammer, and R. Eric Thomas.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is intense and powerful. Lester Fabian Brathwaite is very open and vulnerable in sharing his thoughts and experiences. At times hard to read as the author talks about the first Trump presidency and I couldn’t help but feel despair at being back in that place but worse in these current times. I read primarily in audio as it’s narrated by the author and recommend that format.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts if it reminded me a lot of the 2000’s Mad Me Gay since a lot of pop culture was used to make his points. If you read no other essay read “Rage”.

[Annazetta Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but a very slow start. It was hard for me to keep up. My favorite part was "Fuckin White Boys! LMAO. Speed it up!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really solid, entertaining, and vulnerable essay collection. Would recommend for those who love voice-y and informative nonfiction.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really funny and insightful, and I think could have a lot of teen appeal too (although it is also uhh explicit so beware school librarians). This is definitely a writer to watch for me now.