I'm Down Audiobook By Mishna Wolff cover art

I'm Down

A Memoir

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I'm Down

By: Mishna Wolff
Narrated by: Mishna Wolff
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Mishna Wolff grew up in a poor black neighborhood with her single father, a white man who truly believed he was black. "He strutted around with a short perm, a Cosby-esque sweater, gold chains and a Kangol - telling jokes like Redd Fox, and giving advice like Jesse Jackson. You couldn't tell my father he was white. Believe me, I tried," writes Wolff. And so from early childhood on, her father began his crusade to make his white daughter "down".

Unfortunately, Mishna didn't quite fit in with the neighborhood kids: she couldn't dance, she couldn't sing, she couldn't double dutch, and she was the worst player on her all-black basketball team. She was shy, uncool, and painfully white. And yet when she was suddenly sent to a rich white school, she found she was too "black" to fit in with her white classmates.

I'm Down is a hip, hysterical, and at the same time beautiful memoir that will have you howling with laughter, recommending it to friends and questioning what it means to be black and white in America.

©2009 Mishna Wolff (P)2009 Tantor Biographies & Memoirs Cultural & Regional Memoir Funny Comedy Witty
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Critic reviews

" Down certainly has serious thoughts on its mind...but the tone manages to be light and triumphant because of the hilarious child-goggles Wolff wears while spinning her tales." ( Entertainment Weekly)
Honest Storytelling • Moving Memoir • Refreshing Narration • Strong Personality • Humorous Writing • Candid Perspective

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i found the character development was slow but overall, the book was very honest and humorous. The author has a great way of being candid throughout the book. She narrated it as well which I found refreshing...each character's personality and depiction was exactly as she wanted it.

great listen...

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This was so hilarious and full of life that I miss this whole family now. I want to go hang out with her Dad and watch how a family like hers operates. I laughed out loud in the car many times and would get home and tell my husband the shenanigans like I had hung out with her all day. She had a wonderful perspective on her crazy life, she made it through with humor and pure bravery. I am hoping to see her next book soon!

I want a sequel!

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No words, but I'll try. I laughed, cried, and was simply amazed at the story telling ability of Mishna Wolff. I was reminded of my childhood in so many ways. I never wanted the book to end, and even looked for a sequel, but no luck. Mishna managed to turn what could have been a dreary story of growing up in a racially confused home into a wonderfully bright memoir. Her white dad, who is believes on some level he is black, is such an interesting character. I forgot the name of the woman he married, but she was so well drawn out, that I feel like I know her. Mishna, herself, is quite a strong personality and manages in some miraculous way to get her needs met. I was also raised in a mixed family, so I could relate in so many ways. I can't recommend this book enough!!

I Really Am Down With This Book!

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SO funny. Mishna Wolff has an awesome ability to bring the listener along while visiting memories far in her past to experience them together from a place of simultaneous childhood wonder and adult empathy. What a gift.

Hilarious and Touching

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The humor lad me laugh out-loud. I wanted to hear more, or at least what the young characters grew up to become.

Lighthearted and funny!!!

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