I can understand how it might seem controversial to have the first book review be of a ‘picture book’ but bear with me on this one. If you’ve ever come across the work of Brandon Stanton and his Homans of New York photography, then you’ll have a good idea what you’re stepping into with this beautiful new book. If not, then I urge you to check it out – I can’t guarantee that the people or the stories will be conventionally beautiful in all ways, but I can guarantee that you’ll find beauty in those same people and their stories.
Stanton is a talented photographer, but an even more talented storyteller, and he has a real skill for creating an environment for people to open up.
The stories in Humans vary from beautiful, heart-warming tales of siblings, parents, stepparents and reaching ‘the dream’ to the darker side of humanity – reminding us that there are real people involved in every decision made around the world.
For me personally I feel like you will get out what you take in: if you’re feeling lost, you’ll find someone with advice to help you find your way. If you’re experiencing unrequited love there will be someone who will give you hope, there’s also a fair share of pain, so if you need to wallow, cry or find a way to let it out – that’s in there too! There will be someone, someone’s story that speaks to you, someone that you can relate to or that you can find hope from.
How could I write a review of this book and not touch on Tanqueray, her story was told in an epic series on the Humans of New York Instagram page and it gripped us all. From the shady clubs of ‘mob era’ New York, so the lavish life she was immersed in afterward and on to the experiences she’s having now – it’s justly a rollercoaster ride that everyone should read!
I was lucky enough to be gifted this book for Christmas 2020, and wow – what a year that was, I think we’re all pleased to see the back of it! But at the time, Trump was still in leadership in the States, the pandemic was still raging in almost all corners of the world and economies are doing all kinds of strange things. Needless to say, I went into this feeling a little unsettled and out of sorts; this book, with it’s many faces within, gave me comfort. Comfort that you’re never truly alone, that there will always be someone worse off, better off, ahead of you, behind you but if you’re lucky – you’ll have a whole team running by your side!
Calling this a ‘picture book’ is a little like calling Instagram ‘a photo app’ – it is so much more than that. If you ever feel lost in this world, I would highly recommend you pick up this book, it’s a sure-fire remedy to make you feel slightly less alone.
Whist you read, or before you start, try listening to Million Voices – Otto Knows, check it out here.
Take a look at the HONY Instagram here.
And if you need reminding of how we’re all in this human condition together, take a look at William Anders iconic Earthrise image from the Apollo 8 mission in 1968 [here].
Let me know what you think!
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