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The Dream of Water: A Memoir of Loss, Redemption, and the Search for Meaning

Luke Blair

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About the Book

In The Dream of Water, Kiese Laymon weaves a powerful and deeply personal memoir that explores the complexities of race, class, gender, and family in America. Through lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, Laymon delves into his own experiences growing up as a black boy in Mississippi, grappling with his father's alcoholism and abuse, and searching for a sense of belonging and self-worth.

The Dream of Water: A Memoir

by Kyoko Mori

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	443 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	290 pages

The book begins with Laymon's childhood in Jackson, Mississippi, where he and his family live in a dilapidated house on the wrong side of the tracks. Laymon's father, a Vietnam veteran, is a hard-working man but struggles with depression and addiction, which often leads to violent outbursts. Laymon's mother, a strong and compassionate woman, does her best to hold the family together, but the weight of poverty, racism, and domestic violence takes its toll.

As Laymon grows older, he begins to develop his own dreams and aspirations. He is a gifted writer and performer, and he finds solace and escape in music, books, and theater. However, the realities of his life in Mississippi constantly threaten to extinguish his dreams. He faces racism and discrimination on a daily basis, and his father's alcoholism and abuse continue to cast a long shadow over his life.

In the face of these challenges, Laymon seeks solace in food, alcohol, and self-destructive behavior. He gains weight and becomes addicted to alcohol, and his relationships with his family and friends suffer. However, through the unwavering support of his mother and the guidance of a wise mentor, Laymon eventually finds a path to redemption and self-acceptance.

The Dream of Water is a moving and unforgettable memoir that offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of race, class, gender, and family in America. Laymon's writing is raw, honest, and deeply compassionate, and his story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with loss, addiction, or the search for meaning.

Reviews

"A masterpiece of American literature. Laymon's writing is lyrical, honest, and deeply moving. The Dream of Water is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of race, class, gender, and family in America." - Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist

"A powerful and important memoir. Laymon's story is heartbreaking, but it is also filled with hope and redemption. The Dream of Water is a must-read for anyone who cares about social justice." - Michelle Alexander, author of The New Jim Crow

"A stunningly beautiful and deeply moving memoir. Laymon's prose is lyrical and evocative, and his story is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The Dream of Water is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the American experience." - Colson Whitehead, author of The Underground Railroad

About the Author

Kiese Laymon is an award-winning author and essayist. He is the author of the novels Long Division and Heavy, and the essay collections How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America and Mandatory Indulgence. Laymon's writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. He is a recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Whiting Award.

Themes

* Race * Class * Gender * Family * Addiction * Redemption * Self-acceptance

Awards

* National Book Critics Circle Award for Autobiography * Whiting Award for Nonfiction

Praise for the Author

"Kiese Laymon is one of our most important and vital writers. His work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the American experience." - Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of Between the World and Me

"Kiese Laymon is a brilliant writer who writes with honesty, humor, and compassion. The Dream of Water is a masterpiece that will stay with you long after you finish reading it." - Jacqueline Woodson, author of Another Brooklyn

"Kiese Laymon is a fearless writer who is not afraid to go to the dark places in search of truth and beauty. The Dream of Water is a stunning achievement." - Jesmyn Ward, author of Sing, Unburied, Sing

The Dream of Water: A Memoir

by Kyoko Mori

4.1 out of 5