My Name Is Why: Quick Reads 2022

by Lemn Sissay

SPECIALLY ABRIDGED FOR QUICK READS

How does a government steal a child and then imprison him?
How does it keep it a secret?
This story is how.
This story is true.

My Name Is Why is a true story about growing up in care and fighting to succeed despite the cruelty and failures of the care system.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

Paperback

Published April 14, 2022

About the author

Lemn Sissay OBE (born 21 May 1967), is a British author and broadcaster.

Reviews

[Erica⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale is one of an unbelievably sad and difficult childhood, but this is no misery memoir - Lemn tells it in the most incredibly even-handed way, telling us what happened to him and trying to understand why, all supported by the running commentary of his social service files, extracts from which intersperse the text.

The bare facts of his story are tragic - he was born to a single mother at a time when this was socially unacceptable, she gave him up for temporary foster care while she went back to her home country, he was then placed with a family who wished to keep him, and when his mother wrote to inquire about his whereabouts, social services obstructed her efforts to find him. Then at 12, the only family he had known decided to give him up, and he was moved from one to another of a series of the most terrible children's homes. The fact that Lemn survived this, and is now a successful poet, writer, broadcaster and performer is testament to his talent, determination and tenacity, and the difference that a kind and supportive social worker can make, but you can see that it could so easily have been otherwise.

I would hope that the care system has got better since Lemn's childhood, but I very much fear that it hasn't improved enough. But I am glad that he made it through, and sad that his way was so tough - I would truly recommend this book to anyone, because in spite of the subject matter it is not a depressing read. The book has also encouraged me to explore his poetry as well - a very unique talent, forged out of the bleakest early circumstances, but demonstrating that good can come out of bad.

[Naima]

f the system

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, though didn’t realize I’d borrowed an abridged version. It did feel a little too condensed at times for how impactful and serious the topics were. It’s a hugely poignant testimony to corrupt and broken systems and how they affect a person. Interested to read the unabridged version to learn more or to try other media from the author. His foster ‘mother’ should be truly ashamed of herself.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars purely because this was the abridged version (found in a book swap library) and I would now love to read the unabridged version.
A grim account of the damage caused by the care system, combined with the challenges of growing up in a racist society. The assumptions made by those who should know better based on race and care status are incredibly damaging. It also highlights the damage of taking away a child’s identity by changing their given name.

[Sophie Willcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accidentally bought the abridged version of this book - hence the 3 stars. Understanding a small part of Lemn’s story has made me curious to find out more, so will be reading the full version next!

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Messed up here - my mum recommended this to me but I gave up halfway through because the writing was so simplistic. Wasn’t until I needed a quick half hour of reading between books that I came back to it and realised this is an abridged edition, grrr! Lemm’s life story is fascinating hopefully one day I’ll make the effort to read the ACTUAL book in his words, rather than a summary!

[Carolien · Rating 5 out of 5]

An abridged version of poet Lemn Sissay's childhood experience in care. Separated by the authorities from his young Ethiopian mother, he is renamed Norman and spends time in foster care and various homes. The callousness of the system and the lack of care by those required to look after him is breathtaking at times. Extracts from written notes on his records and letters, it tells the story of a lonely and loveless childhood.

[Kath Huggett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3 star purely because I read the ‘quick reads’ version rather than Lemn Sissay’s full text. However, the poor quality of care provided to Lemn by the state system is made very clear. He so deserves the success he has today.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book but unfortunately bought the ‘quick reads’ edition by mistake, hence only 3 stars. I will hopefully get around to the full version, it’s a fascinating autobiography.

[Helen Hagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book really does pack a big punch. It left me frustrated, horrified, sickened and devastated as well as hopeful and with a lot to think about. Lemn Sissay is a similar age to me, so we would have been growing up around the same time, not a huge distance apart in the north of England, yet our childhoods could not have been more different. It was shocking to read about the experience of a black child brought up in an inadequate care system and in a society that didn’t understand about race. Beginning with being taken from his mother and denied his own name, to being effectively imprisoned without charge or sentence, the book is full of revelations about the reality of growing up without love and family. The fact that the author survived all of this and went on to become such a successful writer and champion of many causes supporting the underprivileged, is a testament to his immense talent and strength of character. I shudder to think how many others may have been crushed in similar circumstances. I would like to think that the system’s failings have gradually been addressed and rectified over the years since then, but I do wonder how many cracks remain to this day and how many problems are still swept under the carpet.

Although this may be an interesting read for anyone with experience of the British care system, I would strongly recommend it to those who have none. It is an eye-opening opportunity to look behind hitherto closed doors and ask ourselves what can be done in our communities today to safeguard childhood and ensure that love and encouragement are not just for the privileged.

Lemn Sissay being a poet with a feel for language and its rhythms, this book is, of course, exquisitely written. The ‘click clack clack’ of a typewriter begins and ends the book with a beautiful symmetry, although at the beginning it is the proclamation of a life sentence, whereas at the end it is the sound of hope. My only disappointment was when I realised I had inadvertently picked up an abridged copy. I don’t know how much has been left out, but I would be interested to read the full version at some point.

[FeedMyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine growing up within the care system, feeling abandoned and not even really knowing your own name for many years, this is the true story of Lemn Sissay who found himself with a foster family who for all intents abandoned him, a care system that was more interested in punishing than helping those in the system to develop life skills and the impact this has on the person who is treated more like a number than an individual.

This book is a truly insightful look at growing up within the care system and just how abandoned those within it can be made to feel. Lemn doesn't shy away from being honest and thanks to this honesty we are able to get a feeling of things rather than simply some words on a page and for me it is one of the most raw, open and honest life stories that I have read in years.

A life in words and finally they are his own, this is a book which people really should check out.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who was at fault exactly. The government, the care system, his awful foster parents, his mother? There are so many kids get dealt a hard blow from conception, abuse is rife, physical, sexual, abandonment and end up in less than favourable institutions but from what I read here Lemn came out at the end a poet living independently and now a successful author, and a lot of the official reports I read in his book were positive and encouraging. I saw his show in York and felt mixed, a bit egotistical in my opinion. The 80s were tough for many kids, ending up homeless, alcoholic, addicted to drugs. Bravo to those who turned their lives around.

[Ben Ballin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in a couple of hours and honestly think it should be compulsory reading for all those who work with young people in the education and ‘care’ systems. It’s a brutally honest, succinct autobiographical account of one young black person’s experience of literal, social, cultural and psychological displacement… and their eventual discovery of who they are, their finding of a home, despite the lies and abuse of those in authority and in whose care they had been placed.
It packs a powerful punch.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, heartbreaking story of Lemn Sissay’s experiences as a black child growing up in care. And his fight with The Authorities to be told the truth about his mother and his identity. I was rooting for him all the way. The care system seemed designed to dehumanise, belittle and punish young people. I did not realise this was a quick read abridged version. I read it in evening. It was riveting but disappointingly brief. I wanted to read more about Lemn’s campaign against abuse and injustice, alongside others brought up in care in the 1970s and 80s.

[Gemma Stockham · Rating 4 out of 5]

👤I've never read from the quick reads selection before but was inspired to do so from @lockdownbooklover's stories on them so when a trip to the library highlighted them on a display shelf I was intrigued to see if any would inspire me.

👤My Name is Why tells the story of a boy Lemn Sissay who was born to an unmarried mother from Ethiopia. Being unable to care for him he was moved into the adoption and care system.

👤The beauty of the quick read means its either a short story or an abridged version of a longer novel (which is the case for this book) but I didn't feel that I was missing any part of it.
Having said that it took a chapter to work out that I was reading excerpts from social services records, care home reports and Lemn's diary as it wasn't clear initially.

👤By the end of the story I felt incredibly frustrated for Lemn's childhood or lack of, and even more convinced that accurate safeguarding reports should always be completed. I hope that he can forgive for all the wrongs inflicted on him and move on. If you read one quick read this year, read this one.

👤👤👤👤/5

[Clo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟

second quick reads that i have read, however this was an abridged version rather then being a short story but this didn’t make me feel like i had missed out on anything - so to speak - only made me want to pick up the full version and read more of lemn’s story.

felt so frustrated for him and the way that the care system let him down on so many occasions, i can only imagine how many other children must experience this too.

[Bethany Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read, really good that this amazing author's work is made more accessible. Having read the full version not so long ago, I only read half of this as I remembered it too well, but the important parts are in this short book and the poetry has remained too. Would highly recommend. Such a shame the system he ended up in but hopefully this book gives hope and closure to those who experienced the same

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that hits you hard. My Name Is Why is a hard hitting reality memoir and is beautifully written. So sad to read the constant battle Lemn had in order to learn more about himself and his origins.
The system constantly let Lemn and his mother down and you really feel for him on so many levels. Would recommend 💕

[Stefanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gave me the chills from cover to cover, particularly the last sentence. A black boy's journey through social services in the '70s and '80s. Contrary to the unspoken plans of most of the white wardens and officers, and no thanks to their input, Lemn Sissay is an acclaimed poet. Probably by luck, accident, determination, or all three and more.

Now I am going to read the full book.

[Ayobankole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleased to have chosen this book for my introduction to the Quick Read series. I completed it swiftly, as intended, and it has piqued my interest in learning more about young people within and outside of the care system, as well as the author, Lemn Sissay (MBE). Moreover, I have developed a deeper appreciation for poetry and its therapeutic properties.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives insight into the care system and how equality has changed over the years, am sure that people may feel that it has not changed enough but at least the care system is there to protect and gives the children a voice now

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mind is actually blown at this story. Knowing its true and yet not quite believing it at the same time. Such a horrible system for a kid to grow up in, with people who generally did not give a shit about him, they just saw his colour. Heart was broken reading this.

[Helen Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic reading!

This dear man suffered so much but fought through hard times! Fantastic read highly recommended read it today, has anything changed? This is the question we must ask ourselves

[Deborah Wargate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read that left me angry, wary and yet holding grimly onto hope. There are people like Lemin who survive, people who want better and try to understand and help and there is a God who wants better from and for us all.

[Bunny Bun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the story.

I remember the fun side of Lemn. My last image of him was on Cambridge St with his black typewriter, sitting up all night, click, click ,clacking. Very inspiring even back then.

[Tali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accidentally got the quick reads which is why i have rated it 3. Hard to build a connection with the story as chapters and sentences are very choppy. Also leaves you thinking 'well what happened?' Will purchase the full story.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice quick read about a young black boy brought up in the care system. Heartbreaking in places and some of the behaviours by professionals were unforgivable!

[Sabrina _lesewesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 ⭐️

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise I'd picked up the abbreviated version. It's an eye opening read into the author's experience of the care system.

[shaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so heartbreaking and educational . I picked it up because it was only £1 and finished it within an hour. I desperately need to buy the full book