This book was very impactful, a detailed account of life that explores the narrator's flaws and limits in the face of doing the right thing.

Blurb:

“Even though the book has heartbreak, it has happiness and humor. YA readers will love this moving memoir . . . The themes of separation, poverty, loneliness, and broken families make this a timely and timeless story.” —ReaderViews

“ . . . Warmly likable man doing his utmost to struggle through more tragedy and bad luck than any human being should be handed . . . but always doing so with courage, humor and gallantry.” —BookLife Reviews

“A devastating coming-of-age memoir about the impact of a mother’s mental illness on her son.” —Clarion Foreword Reviews

“As dramatic as it is heartbreaking.” —Kirkus Reviews

Through a series of letters at times heart-breaking, poetic, and unexpectedly humorous, come explore this true teen and young adult journey of a lost soul searching for the love of his mentally ill mother. While facing seemingly insurmountable odds, Manny ultimately becomes her caretaker and guardian while also parenting his four younger siblings in 1990’s Houston, Texas.

Witness his transformation in this coming-of-age story of a forgotten and disfigured black child, born into spirit-crushing poverty, and thrust into adult life all too soon. Manny’s teen years are spent battling the silent and treacherous enemy of mental illness in his mother's erratic and terrifying behavior. Years of bullying and abuse finally take their toll, and Manny soon finds himself at war with his own demons of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts as he struggles to find his place in the world, and the true meaning of unconditional love.

Experience this inspirational story of loss, faith, love, and redemption that is guaranteed to bring forth both tears and laughter, heartache and happiness, as it captures your imagination, ignites your soul, and soon has you racing from page to page, breathlessly waiting to discover what happens next…

Review:

The story was a great exploration of the evolution of characters through time, highlighting the changes in their beliefs and habits, prompting them to change. The pace is nice and this novel is composed with an epistolary style, so it might not be for someone looking for an adventure, however I really loved it. I liked the exploration of human connection with the mother, that prompted the main character to act in ways that were not positive for his own mental health, in the name of the family.

This showed one of his own limitsç how he wanted to see someone in her mother that didn't exist, someone that wanted to change and improve although that was never what she desired. It was heartbreaking to read about the efforts he put into improving the life of his siblings, which ultimately failed as he had to step out of the negativity he was surrounded by. The fact that his mother is able to live without him just shows how much people are able to make through life despite their circumstances, indicating that change is not always possible or necessary, and that we don't always have to be the ones taking charge of the world, especially if the help is not welcome.

Characters:

The writer and main character: he is frustrating at times because he is unable to let his mother and his siblòings go, always coming back to situations where he is forced to give without ever getting anything in return (gratitude or love). But he is relatable as the person he is trying to help is his mother, whom he is trying to save from herself, and has to accept the fact that she doesn't want to change, or see the necessity for change.

Overall I liked his redemption arc and how the change in his thoughts and behaviors is portrayed throughout the novel.

The mother (Solita): It is clear that the mother is ill for most of the novel, and even when she is not forced into a mental facility she is not well. However, her illness does not justify her behaviors at all times and the lack of care she displays for her children. I didn't like her at all

The grandmother: she is clearly trying to help the situation, looking after the children and asking the writer to come home and help. However, if he changes and accepts the fact that he can't truly help without sacrificing his own happiness, she keeps remaining close to Solita. I understood her and found in her the love of a mother towards her daughter, that the protagonist despèerately wanted for himself but couldnàt have.

Similar reads you might enjoy: I am glad my mum died by Janette Mc Curdy

Overall I really loved the book and would highly recommend it.

#ListenMama #MSPWilliams #SoulsTakeFlight #NetGalley

This is the story of Manny, told through a series of letters addressed to his mother who suffers from mental illness. We journey with him as he grows up, trying to make sense of what life has handed to him. Through it all, through the poverty, the suffering, the shame and the blame, the love that he has for his mother shines through as he tells her that he never stopped loving her and will always be there for her.

It is a story of faith, hope and forgiveness.

JD Jackson narrates with real emotion. Listening to this ALC gives us a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of many families who suffer from the devastation of mental illness and poverty.

While I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for my review, all opinions remain my own.

TW Child and spousal abuse, drugs, jail, discrimination, mentions of suicide attempts, mental hospitalization

This book tells the story of a young black man through letters to his mother who has schizophrenic disorder. It is heartbreaking and relatable. While I cannot relate to the problems of a young black man, I can relate to his struggles with both his own mental health and his mother's issues.

Worth the read just to gain some insight to the struggles that others face. I love the letter format. Sprinkled with some current events give it a real historical standpoint.

I listened to the audiobook. I found JD Jackson's voice perfect for this particular book. For the sake of this book being letters, hearing them read out made me feel more emotionally attached, even though it wasn’t the author himself reading them.

I found these letters heartbreaking and went through every emotion possible while listening. The whole way through is a pure sense of a person who’s constantly being taken advantage of. He already has a lot of hurdles to deal with in life, but he’s had coping with his mother and pretty much parenting his four siblings added to his battles. You constantly feel his desperation for his mother to love him as he lives his life selflessly for her and everyone around him. He’s constantly fighting a losing battle but continues to put everyone else first.

It was hard listening to Manny being taken advantage of but even harder feeling the frustration with him to stand up for himself as he attempts to navigate life and ends up in the same starting position over and over again. I think what makes it frustrating is that Manny is so intelligent and you really get the sense of what a good guy he is. I just wanted him to receive that same kindness. There were countless times I wanted to shake him. The book did drag a lot towards the end and I was wondering when it would finish, as we were long out of childhood and just listening to a guy following the same path, but I think it needed to continue because the part the story finished on gave for the most satisfying ending.

Thank you for dealing with subjects that need to be brought to light.

This is a memoir told through the letters of a young man written to his mentally ill mother from his teen years into adulthood. By sharing his letters, he gives us a glimpse into his struggles. In addition to the trauma of having a mentally ill parent, Manny has survived poverty, a doctor's malpractice, depression, suicide attempts, and more. Ultimately, he took on the thankless role of provider for his younger siblings, often sacrificing his own desires to do so.

While I admire Manny's resilience and drive, I never found myself emotionally connected to his story. We don't get a great deal of detail about his experiences with his mother prior to his teen years as the letters seem to begin after she's been admitted to a mental health facility. I think I would've felt more connected if I knew more about his younger years.

That said, the narrator's distinct voice infuses some personality into the reading of the letters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Souls Take Flight for allowing me early access to the audiobook version of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was given this book for an honest review.
Where to start, I am gut wrenched and heart robbed, and berry much moved by this memoir. I am so, so fortunate for the life I live and am so glad to read someone else’s life and experiences.
I highly recommend this memoir!

This book was at its most potent best when it dealt with the mother's mental illness and the subsequent impact on the author's childhood and youth. There were digressions, especially later in the book that dragged on somewhat, but overall it is a powerful memoir of how he very slowly managed to loosen the shackles of his mother's devastating condition to forge an independent life for himself.

Effective narration.

Listen Mama is a hard listen on audio, but in a good way. This is not some fluff piece that you want to dabble with on the school run or while you're cooking (but if this is all the time you've got, then have at it).

This coming-of-age memoir hits you in the feels from the get-go and is something that this listener wants to come back to in the written format so I can highlight key passages that took my breath away.

Well done to MSP Williams on sharing some hard truths about real life in a beautiful way.

A beautiful memoir of a son dealing with his mother's mental illness. Told through letter form, Manny gives us the story of his life. This story is filled with love, hope, friendship, humour, tears. It is time we begin talking about mental illness as it is and bring awareness to the struggles one has when a family member is ill.

DNF. I could not get into the story line. It was slow moving and just not for me.. I need a fast paced book, one that doesn't make me feel like falling asleep.

A deeply moving memoir of Manny’s life from a very young age through to his young adult years as a working man. He tells his story in the form of letters to his mother who suffers from debilitating mental illness. This form of communication is his attempt to connect with his disengaged mother.

His early years are marred by a series of surgeries which leave him with painful facial scarring. Dealing with bullying; poverty; and the too early responsibility for his younger siblings, Manny’s heartwarming survival and blossoming into a capable young man make this a poignant and personal coming of age story.

Name of Book: Listen Mama
Author: MSP Williams
Narrator: JD Jackson
Publisher: Souls Take Flight
Genre: Memoir YA/Teen
Pub Date: June 15, 2022
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up!

Story is told in letters from a Manny to his mother, started when he was fourteen and follows him for twenty years..
Manny was in an accident at 6 months old and that resulted in him having terrible scars. He grew up being teased, bullied and picked on by cruel children.
Additionally Manny’s mother has a mental illness. He takes care of her as well as his siblings
Manny has a serious of surgeries, one of which the Doctor is responsible for scars after the surgery that really wasn’t necessary. Manny states that his biggest scars are on the inside.
Manny is so intelligent you will be genuinely be impressed and you cannot help but love him.
There is no doubt this story is an emotional, tragic story. Be prepared!

Want to thank NetGalley and Souls Take Flight for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for my honest opinion.
Audiobook Release Date is scheduled for June 15, 2022

Unfortunately I couldn't really get into this audiobook. I think it may be the narrator's voice, or it might just be the content of the story but it wasn't something that I really enjoyed listening to. I'm typically not much of an audiobook fan, but thought I would give this one a try. If you enjoy audiobooks I would still recommend checking it out, it just wasn't a good fit for me as a listener.

Wow juts wow this was enthralling, I don’t typically read memoirs but this one hugged me from the first second and I literally couldn’t put it down.

In <i>Listen, Mama</i>, Manny recounts his childhood and young adult years through a series of letters to his mentally-ill mother. Often raised by his grandma and responsible for his younger siblings, Manny feels torn between wanting to get away and make something of his life and the need to continue caring for his family as he deals with his own depression, anxiety, and poverty.

JD Jackson did a marvelous job narrating this emotion-packed memoir. Williams does not hold back in describing the highs and lows of being part of his family, growing up in poverty in Texas. While there are numerous obstacles in Williams’ life, there are moments of humor to provide levity and keep the book from becoming too depressing. Pop culture references helped set the scene. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy memoirs!

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.

So I listened to the audio form of this book. The content is absolutely amazing, and it is a very deep story. I also loved the format of the story being given through letters.

However, I do think it is a little jarring for younger readers as marketed. It definitely needs some trigger warners at the beginning to help with many like myself who suffer from different forms of ptsd and certain mental health struggles. While I knew a little from the description, I was not fully prepared for the intensity of some of the passages, especially with how quickly they came in the first chapter. Very much for older teen or new adult.

I still absolutely recommend this book, and think it is a very important story. I also applaud the authors perseverance and journey and thank them for not giving up in life.

Listen Mama is a heartbreakingly beautiful look at the love between a child and parent and the longing one feels when a parent is absent.

Written in letters to a mentally ill mother, this intensive coming of age memoir left me devastated but it is such a profoundly important read.

There are lots of triggers in this very personal story, but it is worth the read and I am never going to forget it.

In this memoir the author takes us from his childhood in the early 1990s through his 35th birthday in the form of letters written to his mentally ill mother.

This is a deeply emotional read with plenty that may trigger some people, but, it's genuine. As someone who was also growing up in Houston in the 90s I appreciated the references to things like Marvin Zendler and other sudlties that were intimately familiar to me. The story itself is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Thank you Mr. Williams for sharing it with us.

The book was enjoyable to listen to. It was a story of the love between a grandmother and grandson. The advice that was offered by both on how to live life. The grandmother was always there when things weren’t going well. It’s a story about never giving up.

To give a rating to someone's memoirs seems almost rude.
For the sake of review sites, it is easily 5/5.

Powerful and poignant, this coming-of-age memoir is beautiful.
To say you go through the emotions is a complete understatement. You can be on the verge of tears only for M.S.P. William's humour to change that sadness to laughter and sometimes hope.
Written in letter form to his Mum, who suffers from mental health issues including schizophrenia and depression, Manny takes us back in time, recounting his life and the highs and many, many lows he endured.

Manny's life, from the outset, seemed destined to be full of pain, heartbreak and struggles, more than anyone should ever have to go through. Yet, even in his darkest moments, tiny morsels of hope remain, and you see this incredible young man's resilience, courage and determination.
Manny faced many battles and challenges: From the scars (both mental and physical) of his disfigurement, the bullying because of said disfigurement, growing up in severe poverty, the welfare of his siblings, the desperate desire to help his ill mother to his battles with depression, anxiety and suicide attempts.
And I know, when you read that, you might think it is too dark and heavy, but I can promise you, there is an abundance of love, hope, friendship, humour and innocence that fill his letters.
I have to say thank you to M.S.P Williams, for without him, I may never have heard of the song Unconditional Love by 2Pac. And I definitely wouldn't have read about the time Manny and Jamon dined and dashed. I won't spoil it, but I was left in fits of laughter, too.
And, of course, the final letter, beautiful! My heart ached at the Dear Mr Williams, and tears of joy sprang to my eyes.

Thank you, Manny, for sharing your story, and I promise not to hold it against you that you liked The Notebook. Lol

Thank you, @NetGalley, for the audio arc in return for my honest review.