Make It Scream, Make It Burn

Make It Scream, Make It Burn is a collection of essays from Leslie Jamison that explores obsession, longing, and human connection. The essays range from investigations of reincarnation beliefs to profiles of photographers to examinations of online communities. Through journalistic observation and personal narrative, Jamison documents subjects including a whale known as "52 Blue," the lives of Sri Lankan civil war refugees, and the phenomenon of second life gaming. Each piece combines reporting with reflection on broader cultural and social implications. Jamison moves between roles as observer and participant, sharing her own experiences while maintaining focus on her subjects. The collection is structured in three sections, moving from outward-focused reporting to more intimate personal essays. The essays collectively examine how humans seek meaning and connection, exploring the tension between distance and intimacy in both art and relationships. The work raises questions about truth, imagination, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others.

Readers appreciate Jamison's intellectual curiosity and ability to examine unconventional subjects, from reincarnated children to lonely whales. Many note her skill at weaving personal experiences with journalistic investigation. Several reviews highlight the essays' emotional depth. One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "She takes seemingly niche topics and finds universal human truths." Readers connect with her candid explorations of stepmother-hood and pregnancy. Critics say some essays meander or become self-indulgent. A common complaint is that Jamison overanalyzes simple concepts. Some find her writing style too academic or detached. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (90+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) The strongest essays according to readers are "52 Blue" about the lonely whale and "Museum of Broken Hearts." The least favored are the shorter pieces on photography and Civil War reenactments.

The Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison An earlier collection of essays exploring pain, suffering, and human connection through personal narratives and cultural criticism.

Notes from No Man's Land by Eula Biss Essays weaving together personal history and social commentary to examine race, identity, and privilege in America.

The White Album by Joan Didion A collection of observations and experiences from 1960s California that blends journalism, memoir, and cultural analysis.

Reality Hunger by David Shields A manifesto-style examination of truth, art, and memory that challenges the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction.

Loitering by Charles D'Ambrosio Essays that investigate family trauma, faith, and human relationships through both journalistic observation and personal revelation.

🔍 Leslie Jamison wrote much of this essay collection while pregnant with her first child, which influenced her perspective on longing and attachment throughout the book 📚 The book's title comes from James Agee's advice to writers about how to approach their subjects with intensity and emotional investment 🌊 The essays include an investigation of "52 Blue," known as "the loneliest whale in the world," whose unique call frequency prevents it from communicating with other whales 🎯 Jamison spent three years researching and writing about Second Life, the virtual world platform, culminating in one of the book's most notable essays about digital relationships 📷 The collection explores reincarnation through the lens of children who claim to remember past lives, featuring interviews with researchers at the University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies