My Name Is Why
My Name Is Why
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 2019
Book Brief
208
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
England • 1960s-1980s
2019
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
My Name Is Why by Lemn Sissay is an autobiographical account exploring the author's experience in the British care system. It delves into themes of identity, belonging, and resilience as Sissay uncovers his past through social services records, reflecting on the impact of systemic neglect and his journey to self-discovery.
Emotional
Inspirational
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Lemn Sissay's My Name Is Why is lauded for its powerful exploration of identity and resilience. Readers appreciate its raw, emotional narrative and poetic prose. Some critique the structure as occasionally fragmented. Overall, it's praised for its authentic insight into the foster care system and Sissay's personal journey.
Who Should Read My Name Is Why?
Readers who resonate with personal memoirs exploring identity and resilience, such as those found in Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes or Tara Westover’s Educated, will appreciate Lemn Sissay’s My Name Is Why for its poignant examination of family, belonging, and self-discovery.
208
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
England • 1960s-1980s
2019
YA
18+ years
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