The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed Audiobook

" This book was painful in the same way that Dave Cullen's Columbine was. The subject matter is heartbreaking and infuriating. However, Columbine was also very well written and myth-shattering. This one was neither of those things. I don't blame Judy Shepard for not being a good writer, as I doubt she ever planned to be one, but I wish she had written this with a someone else who could have helped her tell her family's story a little better. Mostly, I already knew the story. There were a couple of inaccuracies in the media's reporting, but nothing earth-shaking. The early chapters that talked about Matthew's life before the attack were the best, as they served to make him more real and three dimensional than the martyr he has become. Unfortunately, the rest was just another rehashing of the information that everyone interested in this story already knew. I also got the impression that Shepard is trying very hard to educate people about hate crimes and gay rights through this book. I felt I was definitely being "taught." The problem is, the kind of people who need her message wouldn't come near this book, so those who do pick it up looking for some new insight on Matthew's story end up feeling unnecessarily preached to. "

" Currently moving pretty quickly through this, it is hard to read at times. I can only imagine how his family feels all of the what if's. "

" This book was very well-written for a memoir. It is such a sad, sad story; I remember when this happened in 1998. It is interesting to hear the story from his mother's perspective. Such a heart-breaking, tragic event. I respected her for telling Matthew's history as truthfully as she could because the media painted Matthew as some heroic figure that was perfect and maliciously killed as a hate crime. When in reality, his mother showed that he was struggling with many different issues and didn't always make the best decisions. "

" This book moved me to tears. Not many books can do that to me, but I cried for ages. On a more serious note, this book is extremely well written and so, so emotional, detailing the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Matthew. We must be thankful that we have someone like Judy Shephard writing such powerful books, because this is how the world will change, because it needs to. "

" This story is just so sad. "

" This book has everything I want in a book, plus more! I cried and felt so much emotion through this book. "

" My heart was so heavy after listening to this audio book. I think it effected me more because I listened to Judy tell me the story of her son's death. Something that no parent should ever go through!! You don't need my words...listen to hers. "

" Very Heartfelt, honest, and enlightening. "

" powerful, amazing, and emotional. Wow, this is a book that everyone needs to read. The painful journey of one family that led to a huge watershed moment in the Gay and Lesbian Rights movement. "

" I will never understand homophobia nor do I think I ever will. Matthew had such a tragic life. I can't wait for the day when stories like this cease to exist. "

" This book was very moving and taught an important lessen about the power of hate. I hope the everyone can get a chance to read this so that our world can have a greater power of love that overpowers hate. "

" Although such a heartbreaking story, it is well written. "

" I had to stop reading it at least 4 times to avoid crying my eyes out. "

" A honest biography about her son Matthew, what it meant to lose him, and how her coping is reshaping the world. "

" I cried a few times, but it was a great book! It was a devastating story told by the mother of Matthew. "

" Awesome book and awesome mother. Everyone can learn alot from Judy. "

" Very simply and honestly told. From this mother's point of view, I found it very powerful and moving. May greater love and acceptance,and a change in hate-crime laws be Matt's legacy. "

" This book interested me because I only knew in passing about what happened to Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. It's a good, important read for anyone who values human rights. "

" I was a little disappointed in this book. It was incredibly sad. I just couldn't identify with the mother/author. She is the type who really holds her emotions in check, and that came across in the book. "

" I cried a few times, but it was a great book! It was a devastating story told by the mother of Matthew. "

" A honest biography about her son Matthew, what it meant to lose him, and how her coping is reshaping the world. "

" This is a tough eye opening read, made me so sad and furious. Hopefully, Judy Shepard's candid and raw account of her gay son's tragic death will shame bullies everywhere. "

" This was our first book club selection of the year because the author came to UNI. Heartbreaking story. There is too much hate in this world sometimes. Don't know what else to say. "

" a powerful book. i am still figuring out all of my emotions surrounding the book but i definitely recommend it. "

" So powerful. I cried the whole time. "