Author: Michael Ian Black
Genre: Non-Fiction/Parenting & Families
Publisher: Algonquin
Publication Date: September 15, 2020
Book Description: In this thoughtful, inspiring, and deeply personal book, comedian, actor, and father Michael Ian Black gets (mostly) serious about the trouble with masculinity. In the form of a heartfelt letter to his college-bound son—but with ideas sure to resonate for many parents—he reveals his own complicated relationship with his father, explores the damage caused by the expectations placed on boys to “man up,” and searches for the best way to help his son be part of the solution, not the problem, in a world in which the word “masculinity” now goes hand in hand with “toxic.”
Part memoir, part advice book, Black delivers a poignant answer to an urgent question: How can we be, and raise, better men? A Better Man is for parents, yes, but it is also for anyone looking for a path forward as we navigate the complex gender issues of our time.
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: This is the first book I read by Michael Ian Black and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Let’s be clear, I am not a parent, but nonetheless, Black wrote a poignant book for his oldest son.
Michael Ian Black wrote a no holds bar book and you can absolutely tell. At the time this was written, his son did not know all the family stories he was going to share.
He shares advice on what a “man” is supposed to be, how you need to accept no from women, but you too are allowed to say no. Black shares the regrets he had with his father and dealing with his death when he was very young.
I found myself personally rereading passages, laughing in many spots, and really taking in the message that Black is giving. This book can be read by any man, woman and children on the precipice of adulthood. There are so many takeaways and might even bring up discussions between you and your family.
Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Obsessed Bookaholic 