What do you think?
Rate this book
Blackgirl on Mars
Blackgirl on Mars is a radical memoir that chronicles author, educator and activist Lesley-Ann Brown's two years' worth of travel searching for "home".
As she travels across the US during the Black Lives Matter protests and Covid-19 pandemic and then to Trinidad and Tobago to attend the funeral of her grandmother, Brown tells her own life-story, as well as writing about race, gender, sexuality, and education, and ideas of home, family and healing.
Both a radical political manifesto and a moving memoir about finding your place in the world, Blackgirl on Mars is about what it means to be a Black and Indigenous woman in Europe and the Americas in the twenty-first century.
As she travels across the US during the Black Lives Matter protests and Covid-19 pandemic and then to Trinidad and Tobago to attend the funeral of her grandmother, Brown tells her own life-story, as well as writing about race, gender, sexuality, and education, and ideas of home, family and healing.
Both a radical political manifesto and a moving memoir about finding your place in the world, Blackgirl on Mars is about what it means to be a Black and Indigenous woman in Europe and the Americas in the twenty-first century.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
300 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2023
5 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Lesley-Ann Brown
3 books33 followersLesley-Ann Brown is a Caribbean-American writer born in Brooklyn with roots in Trinidad and Tobago.
She studied Writing and Literature at Eugene Lang College at the New School in New York City. During the 90s, she worked in NYC publishing and freelanced for various publications such as the Source and Vibe magazines.
In 1999 she moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to become a mother. She began organizing poetry events and freelanced for NBCBLK.
blackgirlonmars, her blog that chronicled her life in Denmark, was a pioneer in the blogosphere. She is the founder of Bandit Queen Press (how to make books in your kitchen), where she conducts writing workshops around. She has undertaken Bandit Queen Press workshops at the Royal Danish Art Academy, as well as in Finland and the US. Brown is also a TEDx speaker.
Her work has been published in the US, Europe, and Latin America. She is the author of Decolonial Daughter: Letters from a Black Woman to her European Son, her debut.
Lesley-Ann Brown is interested in how modernity has ruptured familial memories and bonds. She is interested in the land and the stories that it holds. In her upcoming publication, “Blackgirl on Mars,” she examines the current global mental health crisis and how it relates to “civilization,”; the project of modernity and healing, among other issues.
She studied Writing and Literature at Eugene Lang College at the New School in New York City. During the 90s, she worked in NYC publishing and freelanced for various publications such as the Source and Vibe magazines.
In 1999 she moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, to become a mother. She began organizing poetry events and freelanced for NBCBLK.
blackgirlonmars, her blog that chronicled her life in Denmark, was a pioneer in the blogosphere. She is the founder of Bandit Queen Press (how to make books in your kitchen), where she conducts writing workshops around. She has undertaken Bandit Queen Press workshops at the Royal Danish Art Academy, as well as in Finland and the US. Brown is also a TEDx speaker.
Her work has been published in the US, Europe, and Latin America. She is the author of Decolonial Daughter: Letters from a Black Woman to her European Son, her debut.
Lesley-Ann Brown is interested in how modernity has ruptured familial memories and bonds. She is interested in the land and the stories that it holds. In her upcoming publication, “Blackgirl on Mars,” she examines the current global mental health crisis and how it relates to “civilization,”; the project of modernity and healing, among other issues.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 16, 2023
A brutally honest memoir that makes you question, what lies society is telling you and how you can unlearn them
Having read and fell in love with Lesley-Ann Brown’s collection of essays, Decolonial Daughter I could not wait to read her memoir and I am so happy I was an early reader. In BLACKGIRL ON MARS Lesley-Ann Brown talks about everything. It is so refreshing reading a memoir written by a Black Caribbean woman because I feel far too often we are told, “this is family business” “no one needs to know about this…” and to see Brown talk about her experience and how they shaped her life made it a truly amazing read.
The memoir explores the author finding her place in the world especially as a Black Woman from the Caribbean living in Denmark. Surrounded by so many white people, she talks about what it felt like being a teacher for students she could not impact how she wanted to. We read about the death of her Grandmother who she calls home and how going back to Trinidad and Tobago impacted her outlook. I really enjoyed hearing how she coped being sent back to Trinidad at a very early age to live with her grandmother and how their relationship shaped who she is today.
If you love a memoir that also teaches, I strongly recommend picking up BlackGirl on Mars. It is honest, well written, smart, hilarious and deeply moving.
Having read and fell in love with Lesley-Ann Brown’s collection of essays, Decolonial Daughter I could not wait to read her memoir and I am so happy I was an early reader. In BLACKGIRL ON MARS Lesley-Ann Brown talks about everything. It is so refreshing reading a memoir written by a Black Caribbean woman because I feel far too often we are told, “this is family business” “no one needs to know about this…” and to see Brown talk about her experience and how they shaped her life made it a truly amazing read.
The memoir explores the author finding her place in the world especially as a Black Woman from the Caribbean living in Denmark. Surrounded by so many white people, she talks about what it felt like being a teacher for students she could not impact how she wanted to. We read about the death of her Grandmother who she calls home and how going back to Trinidad and Tobago impacted her outlook. I really enjoyed hearing how she coped being sent back to Trinidad at a very early age to live with her grandmother and how their relationship shaped who she is today.
If you love a memoir that also teaches, I strongly recommend picking up BlackGirl on Mars. It is honest, well written, smart, hilarious and deeply moving.
January 22, 2023
Thanks for an ARC from Netgalley. This was a great book Lesley-Ann shared her own life story but also weaved in so much history and knowledge. As I was reading along, I found myself doing google searches and adding books to my Goodreads list, wanting to know more about the experiences and the authors that had influenced her.
June 15, 2023
3.75… Definitely an informative read, with sharp and honest story-telling
March 26, 2023
Blackgirl on Mars by Lesley-Ann Brown is a memoir that can just as easily be considered a collection of linked essays, the link, of course, being Brown's life experiences.
I love Brown's voice in this book, personal while always making sure to paint a wonderful picture of what she is talking about. She points out the many situations where race plays an unnecessary role while still trying to understand why a person acts or thinks as they do. Not so much as an excuse for them but to help the reader better grasp where our own weaknesses may be coming from. And she never hesitates to admit when she should have, or believes she should have, done something different or more.
Unfortunately, many of the situations she encountered aren't unique or uncommon, which makes telling them as often as necessary important. I saw someone comment on another book that they don't need to read about the same type of encounters in every book, they get it. First, no they don't get it. Second, if they (or any of us who experience the unwarranted privileges that come from how we look) are exasperated reading about it periodically, imagine living it. Not just the things that happen frequently but, because they happen frequently, the constant state of preparedness that is necessary just to get through every day. So read it again, and again, and do whatever you can to make the world better.
What makes this an exceptional book isn't just the value in what is being expressed, but just how enjoyable of a book this is. I really didn't want the book to end. I usually say that about fiction books because I'm enjoying the characters and the story. Here, I like and enjoy reading Brown's story, her opinions, and just hearing (to the extent you "hear" it) her voice.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I love Brown's voice in this book, personal while always making sure to paint a wonderful picture of what she is talking about. She points out the many situations where race plays an unnecessary role while still trying to understand why a person acts or thinks as they do. Not so much as an excuse for them but to help the reader better grasp where our own weaknesses may be coming from. And she never hesitates to admit when she should have, or believes she should have, done something different or more.
Unfortunately, many of the situations she encountered aren't unique or uncommon, which makes telling them as often as necessary important. I saw someone comment on another book that they don't need to read about the same type of encounters in every book, they get it. First, no they don't get it. Second, if they (or any of us who experience the unwarranted privileges that come from how we look) are exasperated reading about it periodically, imagine living it. Not just the things that happen frequently but, because they happen frequently, the constant state of preparedness that is necessary just to get through every day. So read it again, and again, and do whatever you can to make the world better.
What makes this an exceptional book isn't just the value in what is being expressed, but just how enjoyable of a book this is. I really didn't want the book to end. I usually say that about fiction books because I'm enjoying the characters and the story. Here, I like and enjoy reading Brown's story, her opinions, and just hearing (to the extent you "hear" it) her voice.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
February 14, 2023
Who is an author that changed your life with their writings?
Lesley-Ann Brown was already on my list of authors whose writings changed my life with Decolonial Daughter. Blackgirl on Mars confirmed this place. This is a powerful memoir of a radical journey of reconnection and finding home.
Brown has lived in many places, and the memoir is divided into three main settings: Diego Martin, Trinidad; Brooklyn, New York; Copenhagen, Denmark.
The book begins with her life in Europe as an educator experiencing racism and fatigue in a country bent on forgetting its colonial history. She finds healing in plants and reconnecting to the land. The second part is a love letter to Trinidad and Tobago as she remembers her time growing up with her grandmother. From Double Dutch in Brooklyn to hopscotch, she describes the differences between the two cultures and the difficulties and joys she encountered as a child. The last section of the book describes the “united settler states of America,” and its intervention in Latin American countries, policing, gentrification, and the pandemic.
What I loved most was Brown’s engaging writing style and how she paints a picture of each setting with its unique energy. Of course, my favourite was the Caribbean with mentions of liming, folklore and the African influence on Trini culture like Carnival and Limbo. So rich. I also enjoyed learning about the author’s Indigenous background and her reconnection to the land. The plant knowledge and the beautiful illustrations inspire me to read more books on it like Braiding Sweetgrass.
I appreciate that Brown continues her political conversation and activism from her first book with a more intimate look at her healing journey. A Must Read!
Lesley-Ann Brown was already on my list of authors whose writings changed my life with Decolonial Daughter. Blackgirl on Mars confirmed this place. This is a powerful memoir of a radical journey of reconnection and finding home.
Brown has lived in many places, and the memoir is divided into three main settings: Diego Martin, Trinidad; Brooklyn, New York; Copenhagen, Denmark.
The book begins with her life in Europe as an educator experiencing racism and fatigue in a country bent on forgetting its colonial history. She finds healing in plants and reconnecting to the land. The second part is a love letter to Trinidad and Tobago as she remembers her time growing up with her grandmother. From Double Dutch in Brooklyn to hopscotch, she describes the differences between the two cultures and the difficulties and joys she encountered as a child. The last section of the book describes the “united settler states of America,” and its intervention in Latin American countries, policing, gentrification, and the pandemic.
What I loved most was Brown’s engaging writing style and how she paints a picture of each setting with its unique energy. Of course, my favourite was the Caribbean with mentions of liming, folklore and the African influence on Trini culture like Carnival and Limbo. So rich. I also enjoyed learning about the author’s Indigenous background and her reconnection to the land. The plant knowledge and the beautiful illustrations inspire me to read more books on it like Braiding Sweetgrass.
I appreciate that Brown continues her political conversation and activism from her first book with a more intimate look at her healing journey. A Must Read!
February 29, 2024
It's readable
There are many relatable things in this book. One can relate to being a black woman/person in this world, the desire to connect to the earth for a greater meaning/purpose, and the need to find home or to feel at home wherever you are, to be grounded. I could also relate to needed to listen to one's body and to find healthy, natural, and holistic ways to heal ailments, and being raised in the Caribbean by a grandmother. Overall, I liked the book. I felt however that it dragged on and felt disorganized in moments which took away from the book. That's my only negative.
There are many relatable things in this book. One can relate to being a black woman/person in this world, the desire to connect to the earth for a greater meaning/purpose, and the need to find home or to feel at home wherever you are, to be grounded. I could also relate to needed to listen to one's body and to find healthy, natural, and holistic ways to heal ailments, and being raised in the Caribbean by a grandmother. Overall, I liked the book. I felt however that it dragged on and felt disorganized in moments which took away from the book. That's my only negative.
November 18, 2022
The writing was terrific and breathing taking. I love this novel! Each story, from start to finish, was excellent. It showed everything in the world that isn't being said. Invigorating, addictive, emotional, dramatic, and stunning are just a few words I can find to describe this gem. I was captivated from the very beginning and never wanted it to end. Absolutely breathtaking and hard to put down! Thank you Netgalley!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews