Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son

Author: Michael Ian Black

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: males and male identifying people

Publication Date: September 15, 2020

Genre: Autobiography

Recommended Age: 14+ (toxic masculinity, consent, sexual content)

Publisher: Algonquin Books

Pages: 304

Synopsis: In a world in which the word masculinity now often goes hand in hand with toxic, comedian, actor, and father Michael Ian Black offers up a way forward for boys, men, and anyone who loves them. Part memoir, part advice book, and written as a heartfelt letter to his college-bound son, A Better Man reveals Black’s own complicated relationship with his father, explores the damage and rising violence caused by the expectations placed on boys to “man up,” and searches for the best way to help young men be part of the solution, not the problem. “If we cannot allow ourselves vulnerability,” he writes, “how are we supposed to experience wonder, fear, tenderness?”

Honest, funny, and hopeful, Black skillfully navigates the complex gender issues of our time and delivers a poignant answer to an urgent question: How can we be, and raise, better men?

Review: For the most part this was a good book. It was really sweet and heartwarming. I really liked that the book discussed consent and privilege and other topics, but I feel like the book could have done more. I can't really explain it but I was just left with this feeling of incompleteness. Also, I wish to see more male identifying people to review this. I don't see nearly enough.

Verdict: It was good, but I would like to see more male perspectives on this.