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Be Brave and Embrace Who You Are
A Boy Who Loved Me shares with readers your story about growing up in Uganda with Sickle Cell Disease and being gay and the challenges you faced on your road to British citizenship. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing A Boy Who Loved Me was my way of expressing my emotions and my views as I see this world and the reality we live in. I wanted my story to convey my struggles with sickle-cells and the physiological immigration impact on me and people seeking asylum all over the world in a positive way. It was important to me to write about these struggles to show other people all over the world who are going through similar circumstances that if you don’t let those circumstances define you, and keep going with hope and a positive mind, things do get better, and you learn to be okay with the past, which leads to happiness.
It was my way of showing my appreciation of the blessing I have been given for being alive to not only help others achieve their goals in life but also entertain them at the same time.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing was writing about sickle cell crises and the pain. I had to relive many physical and psychological challenges I have endured my whole life. But it was important because there are many people going through different contrasting circumstances like sickle cells.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The most important idea I wanted to share in this book was that being gay is not a choice and no matter where you come from, you can be born gay. I wanted people to be brave and embrace who they are especially those born in societies that do not understand homosexuality, like Uganda.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
The one thing I hope that readers can take away from my story is that having hope and constantly looking for the positive aspects can lead to achieving one’s goals and finding happiness no matter the circumstances.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
With acuity and precision, Wilson writes about his queerness in his home country of Uganda and the political and social implications of coming out and coming of age in a country of turmoil and violence. This sprawling memoir traces Wilson Semitti’s decades-long journey from Uganda to the far reaches of the world—Thailand, China, South Africa, and beyond—without letting the sickle-cell chronic disease he was born with define him.
The people that come in and out of his life shape his experiences and help him make meaning from his path, but none more than the boy who loved him.
A Boy Who Loved Me
In A Boy Who Loved Me, Wilson Semitti crafts a beautifully written and thought-provoking memoir that whisks readers on an exhilarating journey across continents. More than a mere travelogue, Semitti’s work is a heartfelt ode to life, an exploration of self-acceptance, and a testament to the strength of spirit in the face of adversity.
Wilson’s narrative unveils the complex layers of his life, from the vibrant tapestry of his Ugandan childhood to the momentous day he attains British citizenship. Growing up amidst the cultural biases of his homeland, Wilson grapples with his own sexuality. Bound by societal constraints, he yearns for a place where he can embrace his true self without fear. Yet, as if these challenges weren’t formidable enough, Wilson also battles Sickle Cell Disease’s physical and emotional strains.
An excerpt from page 257 illuminates his ethos: ‘I wanted all disadvantaged kids suffering from conditions like sickle cell to know that if they don’t let these circumstances define them, they can rise above and accomplish much. We can all realize our purpose. I stand as a testament to that.’
Semitti’s prose is infused with hope and resilience. It’s captivating to witness his evolution as he journeys towards self-acceptance. “Happiness,” he muses on page 116, “is embracing your entire being, unfettered by societal judgment. True freedom lies in authenticity.”
The narrative spans from Uganda to South Africa and eventually to the UK, detailing Wilson’s harrowing experiences when he sought asylum. The trials continue as he faces deportation to South Africa and grapples with detainment. Amid these tribulations, a beacon of hope remains a heartwarming love story with a boy he meets in the UK, showcasing the depths of their bond.
Throughout his story, Semitti masterfully weaves in vignettes from his adventures in countries like China and Thailand. These anecdotes introduce us to a mosaic of vibrant characters, reinforcing the universality of human connection.
What stands out in this memoir is its intimate tone; reading it feels akin to flipping through the cherished pages of a dear friend’s journal. Semitti’s command over language and his narrative prowess make A Boy Who Loved Me a must-read, one that resonates deeply and encourages introspection. It is a truly inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Pages: 344 | ASIN : B0B48SZBKV
LITERARY TITAN 