In this memoir, author Raven Oak shares her journey through an abusive childhood and adolescence to find themselves as an adult being able to properly identify through their gender, sexuality and other identities. Their past helped to shape their career as a teacher in Texas, doing their best to serve youth in the Bible Belt. A health diagnosis led Raven and their partner to a safer space in Seattle where they battled long COVID and a series of disabilities.
Raven Oak is one of my favorite science fiction/fantasy authors, so I jumped on the chance to read their memoir. Raven presents an honest look at a life with many bumps in the road as well as triumph through adversity. Raven's writing pulled me in similarly to a fictional story and I was invested in their journey. Raven writes about not only where they succeeded in life, but where they believe they failed, especially in the school system and with certain students. I found myself identifying with Raven's story more often than not, even though we have had very different paths in life thus far. I identified most with Raven's time in schools, trying to help students to be their best while actively fighting administration and some parents every step of the way. I also love to see the power of good documentation. Raven's memoir is all about finding their voice and using it for the greater good. Through Raven's life they share multiple instances of finding and redefining themselves and using their experiences to advocate for themselves and others. I took much of Raven's learned wisdom in these experiences to be a better advocate. I enjoyed seeing how Raven's experiences shaped some characters in their books. Voices Carry is a story of triumph as a person who has fought against evil, stereotypes, and outdated systems just to exist. I'll wrap up with one of my favorite quotes that I'll be incorporating into everyday life, "If questioning others means I'm a threat, consider me armed and dangerous."
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Raven Oak is one of my favorite science fiction/fantasy authors, so I jumped on the chance to read their memoir. Raven presents an honest look at a life with many bumps in the road as well as triumph through adversity. Raven's writing pulled me in similarly to a fictional story and I was invested in their journey. Raven writes about not only where they succeeded in life, but where they believe they failed, especially in the school system and with certain students. I found myself identifying with Raven's story more often than not, even though we have had very different paths in life thus far. I identified most with Raven's time in schools, trying to help students to be their best while actively fighting administration and some parents every step of the way. I also love to see the power of good documentation. Raven's memoir is all about finding their voice and using it for the greater good. Through Raven's life they share multiple instances of finding and redefining themselves and using their experiences to advocate for themselves and others. I took much of Raven's learned wisdom in these experiences to be a better advocate. I enjoyed seeing how Raven's experiences shaped some characters in their books. Voices Carry is a story of triumph as a person who has fought against evil, stereotypes, and outdated systems just to exist. I'll wrap up with one of my favorite quotes that I'll be incorporating into everyday life, "If questioning others means I'm a threat, consider me armed and dangerous."
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
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