Just Sayin, Malorie Blackman
Just Sayin, Malorie Blackman
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Just Sayin'
My Life In Words

Author: Malorie Blackman

Narrator: Malorie Blackman

Unabridged: 7 hr 32 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/20/2022


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

Malorie Blackman OBE is one of Britain's best loved and most widely-read writers and this is her long-awaited autobiography.

For over thirty years, her books have helped to shape British culture, and inspired generations of younger readers and writers. The Noughts and Crosses series, started in 2000, sparked a new and necessary conversation about race and identity in the UK, and are already undisputed classics of twenty-first-century children's literature.

She is also a writer whose own life has been shaped by books, from her childhood in south London, the daughter of parents who moved to Britain from Barbados as part of the Windrush Generation, and who experienced a childhood that was both wonderful and marred by the everyday racism and bigotry of the era. She was told she could not apply to study her first love, literature, at university, in spite of her academic potential, but found a way to books and to a life in writing against a number of obstacles.

This book is an account of that journey, from a childhood surrounded by words, to the 83 rejection letters she received in response to sending out her first project, to the children's laureateship. It is an illuminating, inspiring and empowering account of the power of words to change lives, and the extraordinary life story of one of the world's greatest writers.

© Malorie Blackman 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Reviews

Goodreads review by Fern on November 28, 2022

Loved listening to the audiobook of this! Definitely deserves more than five stars. Such an encouraging, interesting and inspirational read by one of my favourite authors as a tween/young teenager.......more

Goodreads review by Katy on April 23, 2024

malorie writes with such hope, her determination and perseverance emanate from each page! loved this and love her, very tempted to read the noughts and crosses series again now!......more

Goodreads review by Katy on June 26, 2023

Rather inspiring, and a huge insight. I've loved many of Blackman's books, and not really know a thing about her life. So much of what she's written now makes more sense in the context of her experiences. This was a very interesting autobiography, and hugely in-depth into the life of someone Black, f......more

Goodreads review by Connor on April 15, 2024

4.5 but malorie deserves the 5 This woman has been through so much but has persevered and thrived......more

Goodreads review by Tina on March 27, 2024

Malorie is just a couple of years younger than me, so I remember how things were for black kids in the 60’s and 70’s. I admire her tenacity, courage and tenacity. What a beautiful soul! I wish I could give her a huge hug, both now and in the past.......more


Quotes

This is a book of life. An inspiring life. Benjamin Zephaniah

A powerful inspirational memoir that shows just what you can achieve with resilience, determination, ferocious hard work and talent. Jacqueline Wilson

This book is a frank, earnest, surprising, witty, vulnerable yet open insight into the journey, mind (or heart) and life of a literary icon. Dapo Adeola

Since childhood it has been an honour to read every story that Malorie Blackman has written. Candice Carty Williams

It's a total privilege to get a glimpse in to Malorie's inner world. Her humour, boldness, sensitivity and humanity are as much on show here as any of her classics. She's a superhero of literature, goodness knows how many readers she's saved like me. Zawe Ashton

'It's very candid, and movingly so.... Not only in Blackman a grafter- even more, and in the face of more, than we already knew. She's someone with whom you do not mess. Good on her. She's earned it' The Telegraph

Just Sayin' is a phenomenal read, truly powerful. Catherine Johnson

Packed full of life, love, struggle and hope - you won't regret reading it. Dorothy Koomson

The story of an extraordinary woman. Sunday Times

This is a book about survival and success. Guardian