Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?: From the Projects to Prep School: A Memoir

by Charlise Lyles

A memoir of race and education, this is the story of a girl who grew up and out of the Cleveland projects in the 1960s and '70s. While growing up in Cleveland, young Charlise Lyles experienced turbulent events including race riots and a neighborhood murder. Yet she was inspired to appreciate literature at a young age, and she spent her days reading—and also often searching for the estranged father who taught her that love of learning. Despite starting in the “slow class” at an aging school on Cleveland's east side, Lyles had a thirst for knowledge and drive for success that would open a door to new opportunities. Granted a scholarship to a prestigious prep school in a wealthy suburb, the vibrant teenager finds herself presented with a bewildering set of new challenges—and a new direction in life. “Lyles paints a detailed, thoughtful picture of race relations in the 1970s … Highly recommended.” — Small Press Review

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Womens, Coming Of Age, Biography

270 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised not more reviews. I suppose her story is not in anyway uncommon. but this could have been told in a heavy humdrum tone. Instead the author makes us laugh with her through her pain. The writing is strong and it makes you feel and identify with the three voices of Charlise Lyles.To comment on this book piece is to comment on the expanding required reading genre for coming of age books. If those books can guide us and make beautiful the struggle of teenage life, then this work needs to be on top of that list. Sit it on top Huckleberry Finn and Catcher in the Rye. And maybe hight still...as the coming of age for ghetto children. One of the crispest pictures of project life and the awkwardness that comes from being out of place. I instantly saw my situation reflected, my place in the world and the arduous course for repair and self betterment. There is some light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it is just for saying I tried my best. I made decisions, I owned a life.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So moving and insightful. As someone who also feels like she lives in two different worlds, not quite here nor there, I really loved reading this.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a memoir type book written by a woman who grew up in Clevleand at the beginning of the development of the projects. She struggles early in her academic/social life, but with the help of a very strong mother she finds her way and ends up winning a scholarship to Hawken. She tells the story with a very strong voice, the first section from the point of view of a high school senior trying to find her absent father and make him see how well she has done for herself-wanting his approval, the second section as a little girl struggling with that same father leaving and moving with her mother,younger sister and brother to the King-Kennedy Estates. Also, dealing with an older brother who went to a detention center. Added to this struggle is the change that her home takes from a brand new government housing to what we now call the "projects" And the third section as an inner city girl struggling to find her voice and place at Hawken, and discovering her inner strength. One of the things that I liked most about this book is that she tells it from the perspective of an African American girl growing up in a time of civil unrest-but never once makes her struggles into a racial issue-she shows it as what it is a financial issue. It is also a great book to relearn a lot of Cleveland history. It is an eye opener about the giant crevass between inner city and suburb education and that fact that we haven't made many strides since that time. It took me two days to read over Thanksgiving weekend-Thanks mom for the loan!

[Tien Tran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for my History of the Black Power Movement class. Although there were 5 required readings for the semester, I only read two of the books, this being one of the two. I do not regret it at all. This book completely engaged me and Charlise Lyles does a great job taking the reader through her life with all the ups and downs of being a black woman in a struggling time.

[Bard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening novel

This book let’s you into the life of a young black woman growing up in poverty and systematic oppression. Charlise’s inspiring story gives is an example of how underprivileged minority children can achieve their dreams though extreme hardships with a little educational and emotional direction. Definitely a book some politicians should read.

[Casertalaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book about an inner city girl who is able to go to preppy Hawkin school in the ouskirts of suburban Cleveland in the '60s

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyles puts it into perspective how it was like going from living in a housing project in Cleveland and attending school in the surrounding area to attending an elite prep school. She presents the correlation between race and education. Your education depends significantly on your race — the teachers, the resources, the environment, and more. Her culture shock and background shaped her in many ways and her experience is worth the read of this memoir.

[lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I had to read this for a class, I can say I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Charlise Lyles is an African American who comes from a poor black family during the civil rights movement. Her story is compelling and her experiencies are gut-wrenching. This gave me a different perspective and at times I even related to some of her experiences of going from familiar to unfamiliar places where you have to rediscover who you are again.

[Karah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending disappointed me. I wanted to learn how Charlise adapted to prep school. I am a black woman who attended a white high school and I'd hoped to more deeply identify with her journey. I was saddened to see that her father influenced her to be an agnostic. How could one man have so much power for doing so little? I plan to give this book to my friend who embraces ethnic cultures.

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this books for one of my classes(which I have final for on Thursday) and now it's one of my favorite books.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book read for school. While it is not what I would normally read, I did enjoy it and take something away from her story and perspective.

[zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked that she kept a young voice / perspective when talking abt her childhood instead of editing it to be "politically correct" or overly explanatory

[Cindy Einhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this memoir is like watching someone who started a half-mile behind with a dozen extra hurdles sprint to the finish line in first place.

[gnarlyhiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? Unequivocally and Unabashedly, yes. Thank you

[Robin Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate that this book is a memoir from someone who had firsthand experience living in Cleveland in the 70s. It provides valuable perspective on the historical events of the time and how they affected Charlise and her family—events that still play a prominent role in today’s aid to the 'lower class.' At times, the stories seem to skip around a bit while also dragging on. I found myself wanting to know more about the stories she didn’t go into detail about, unlike the ones she tended to draw out for pages at a time. Overall, I mostly enjoyed this book.

[Marya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book is like sitting down to Sunday lunch while listening to your grandmas and grandpas and great-aunts and great-uncles talk about life in their neck of the woods. If you're an adult, all the name dropping is fun, and every little piece of trivia has rich layers of meaning behind it. If, however, you are only 5 years old, and have no idea who these people are (nor do you care), it becomes frustrating. Lyles tries to put an urban, ordinary face onto the landscape of the 60s and 70s, but it is a very Cleveland face. Those who are familiar with the area will enjoy it far more than those for whom East 77th means nothing more than 77 blocks south of downtown.

[Karen Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of working with this author while we were both reporters at the Virginian Pilot. As a good a writer as she is a person. Very enjoyable book about growing up in Cleveland.

Made me care, even though I'd never been to Cleveland at the time, and had never really given it a second thought!

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book about a girl growing up in the King Kennedy Estates Project late 60s early 70s. As a Clevelander, I knew all the streets and suburbs she was talking about. It is a sad commentary on race relations back then, but also a nice tribute to her endurance and perseverance, always trying to overcome the many obstacles in her life.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the good fortune of meeting Charlise Lyles at a book conference in Columbus, way before I even finished library school. Her voice then was a lyrical as it is now in the pages of her books, and my biggest regret is not completing this book earlier. This book is absolutely a must read, especially for anyone who has a special place in their heart for Cleveland.

[Amina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good depictions of being poor and not having materials things but still striving and serving the best and honest way you can. With a strong mother that learn how to work and navigate the system to benefit her children sucess. It was a good read and eye opening account to struggles that still go on today in poor communities across America

[Trina Dubya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written memoir of poverty and life in the projects of Cleveland. I expected to learn a little more about her life in prep school; most of this is about Charlise's education and family until she was fourteen and starting high school. Hopeful and painful at the same time, it's well worth reading.

[Anise · Rating 5 out of 5]

First hand knowledge creates a bridge for those following. Having traveled the road, jumping creeks and choosing which fork in the road to follow, reading Charlise's book gave voice to to swirling thoughts and helped settle a thumping heart. Thanks for sharing.

Anise Jones Jefferson

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in two sittings. The Cleveland connection made it more interesting, but aside from that it was beautifully written and it's a powerful story.

[Elizabeth McDonald]

First diversity book club book of the year.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it once I got into it but it was a little slow in the beginning.

[MICHELLE BROOME · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational! It is a must read! A testament that you are only "trapped" if you believe you are. Should be required reading for schools in inner cities across the country!

[Katharine Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Do I Dare Disturb the Universe?: From the Projects to Prep School" - written by Charlise Lyles and published in 2008 by Gray and Company. Well-told story of growing up in the projects in Cleveland.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlise is incredibly wise and deeply descriptive. She taught me so much through this book; she broke my heart and made me wonder again. She very quickly earns the reader's attention.

[Letitia · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this one especially since she I from my hometown of Cleveland OH.