Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope

by Karamo Brown Narrated by Karamo Brown

Overview

An insightful, candid, and inspiring memoir from Karamo Brown — Queer Eye's beloved culture expert — as he shares his story for the first time, exploring how the challenges in his own life have allowed him to forever transform the lives of those in need.

When Karamo Brown first auditioned for the casting directors of Netflix's Queer Eye, he knew he wouldn't win the role of culture expert by discussing art and theater. Instead, he decided to redefine what “culture” could — and should — mean for the show. He took a risk and declared, “I am culture.”

Karamo believes that culture is so much more than art museums and the ballet — it's how people feel about themselves and others, how they relate to the world around them, and how their shared labels, burdens, and experiences affect their daily lives in ways both subtle and profound. Seen through this lens, Karamo is culture: His family is Jamaican and Cuban; he was raised in the South in predominantly white neighborhoods and attended an HBCU (historically black college/university); he was trained as a social worker and psychotherapist; he overcame personal issues of colorism, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, and public infamy; he is a proud and dedicated gay single father of two boys, one biological and one adopted. It is by discussing deep subjects like these, he feels, that the makeovers on the show can attain their full, lasting meaning. Styling your hair and getting new clothes and furniture are important, but it's imperative that you figure out why you haven't done so in 20 years so you can truly change your life.

In this eye-opening and moving memoir, Karamo reflects on his lifelong education. It comprises every adversity he has overcome, as well as the lessons he has learned along the way. It is only by exploring our difficulties and having the hard conversations — with ourselves and one another — that we are able to adjust our mind-sets, heal emotionally, and move forward to live our best lives.

Karamo shows us the way.

Editorial Reviews

APRIL 2019 - AudioFile

In deep tones that will be familiar to viewers of Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” social worker and cultural commentator Karamo Brown narrates his debut audiobook. Blending memoir with inspirational lessons, he recounts the joys and challenges of his life, including his unorthodox routes to fame and fatherhood, his experiences with addiction and abuse, and his ambitious drive. He describes how each of these qualities and experiences shaped his worldview and empowered him to help others. Although Brown’s narration style doesn’t achieve the level of charisma listeners might expect based on his television work, his delivery is straightforward and accessible, with occasional bursts of warmth and humor. Overall, fans will be fascinated by this dive into Brown’s personal history, particularly the lengthy final chapter, which focuses on “Queer Eye.” R.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

04/22/2019

In this often passionate, insightful memoir, Brown, known for his reality TV roles on The Real World and Queer Eye, shines a revealing light on addiction, race, and desire. Born in 1980 in Houston, Tex., he was the only son of a Jamaican-Cuban immigrant family and proud of his Rastafarian father, who gave him the Swahili name Karamo, meaning “educated rebel.” Sometimes the name caused Brown embarrassment, but it fostered an inner strength in grade school, he writes, and as an undergraduate at Florida A&M, a historically black college. His pioneering appearance as the first openly gay black man on MTV’s The Real World put all of his flaws on view, and led him to confront his drug use, excessive partying, drinking, and depression. Brown’s role as Queer Eye’s fiery culture expert allowed him to comment openly about racism and sexual stereotypes as he found happiness as the single father of two boys and, later, in a committed relationship. “We must find ways to move the needle on success and love,” Brown notes in the clear-eyed writing and encouraging tone that permeates his narrative. This is a powerful story of a young, gay black man’s fight to gain self-empowerment and healing. (Mar.)

Bustle

Queer Eye's cultural expert Karamo Brown tells his life story — and gives fans a delicious behind-the-scenes look at the taping of the feel-good Netflix series — in his new memoir.

OprahMag.com

"This soul-soothing memoir from one-fifth of the Fab Five (and staunch advocate for LGBTQ mental health awareness) is also a deeply profound rumination on the relationship between one's culture—including what that even means—and one's self-perception.

Booklist

"Brown is candid and warm in all the ways his fans will expect. He relates a childhood filled with both love and trauma, his journey through anger problems and addiction, the stops and starts in creating a career that fit, and his unexpected path to fatherhood. Even his story's happy ending, a hit show and an upcoming wedding, is addressed with introspection. Brown states his passion for helping others find the language to communicate their emotions; readers will appreciate his openheartedness in sharing his own.

Trevor Noah on The Daily Show

Truly, truly fascinating.

HelloGiggles

"During every episode of Queer Eye, there’s at least one touching moment where Karamo Brown drops some serious wisdom about self-love and makes everybody cry. His moving memoir about overcoming adversity captures that feeling in book form.

Booklist

"Brown is candid and warm in all the ways his fans will expect. He relates a childhood filled with both love and trauma, his journey through anger problems and addiction, the stops and starts in creating a career that fit, and his unexpected path to fatherhood. Even his story's happy ending, a hit show and an upcoming wedding, is addressed with introspection. Brown states his passion for helping others find the language to communicate their emotions; readers will appreciate his openheartedness in sharing his own.

APRIL 2019 - AudioFile

In deep tones that will be familiar to viewers of Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” social worker and cultural commentator Karamo Brown narrates his debut audiobook. Blending memoir with inspirational lessons, he recounts the joys and challenges of his life, including his unorthodox routes to fame and fatherhood, his experiences with addiction and abuse, and his ambitious drive. He describes how each of these qualities and experiences shaped his worldview and empowered him to help others. Although Brown’s narration style doesn’t achieve the level of charisma listeners might expect based on his television work, his delivery is straightforward and accessible, with occasional bursts of warmth and humor. Overall, fans will be fascinated by this dive into Brown’s personal history, particularly the lengthy final chapter, which focuses on “Queer Eye.” R.A.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171150143
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
Publication date:	03/05/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

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