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mattyvreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Lord, have mercy…. The more I read Percival Everett, the less I care for his writing. But, I suppose I understand why many people like this book.
Let’s start with the successful elements of the book, for me. First of all, much like the Trees, the concept of the book itself is brilliant. So much promise of premise. The plot is engrossing and the themes are effective. I think it’s a pretty genius idea.
I appreciate that Everett offers an often nuanced critique of ubiquitous and covert forms of racism. He points towards dangerous micro-aggressions directed at Black Americans and harmful stereotypes that unfortunately prevail today.
I appreciate the experimental nature of the interwoven stories and extended metaphors. Even when those are unsuccessful for me as a reader, I think it’s intriguing how the author constructs those tangential narratives.
Ultimately, though, I did not like this book. I really tried to like it, too.
I think Everett is extremely heavy handed in his writing. Large sections of the book are nearly unreadable, as he needlessly occupies pages and pages with Monk’s purposefully boring and long winded writing. There are pages of lists: Monk’s former books, books that have inspired his character, documents, etc.. Also, Monk offers literary critique of everything he reads; criticism that is wholly irrelevant to the story. All of the aforementioned details add nothing to his character, and are horribly and (seemingly) intentionally boring. It’s really unpleasant to read, and it’s completely masturbatory.
We read the entirety of Monk’s story “Fuck,” which is supposed to be horribly written, as much a parody as it is an exposé of racist and unserious readership. Although it is attempting to satirize that style of work, and effectively emphasizes white Americans’ ignorance and discrimination, it also perpetuates many harmful stereotypes and invokes intersectional trauma without care.
In that story, “Fuck”, there are three separate instances of sexual assault, which the reader is forced to engage with in excruciatingly graphic detail. There is casual violence against women, misogyny, anti-Asian rhetoric, ableism, homophobia, etc.. Clearly, the author is trying to draw attention to those things, but the criticism does not go far enough. This is evidenced by the fact that, in Monk’s real life, he has homophobic and misogynistic thoughts and opinions. Therefore, is the story within the story effective as satire? I would argue: not wholly.
Monk is a pretty unpleasant protagonist. He’s just an asshole, to be honest. He’s casually fatphobic, he’s homophobic, he’s mean to his brother and the housekeeper. All of his negative attributes do not particularly make me want to root for him by the end.
I understand that Everett likes a vague ending to his books, leading the audience to wonder what happens next. Still, there are so many huge moments that the reader is not privy to, it seems unfinished.There is never a discussion between Bill and his mom. We never get a clear ending to Monk’s storyline with his love interest. There is a somewhat hastily ended plot line with his Neo-Nazi half sibling? Very weird.
On top of all of this, there are gratuitous sex scenes including two memories of prepubescent sexual interactions, which are very uncomfortable to read. Didn’t like that at all.
Yeah, not for me….
(Note: Maybe it’s blasphemous to say, but I loved the movie adaptation American Fiction. For me, it amplified the best parts of the story, and edited out the parts that frustrated me so greatly, as a reader.)
Let’s start with the successful elements of the book, for me. First of all, much like the Trees, the concept of the book itself is brilliant. So much promise of premise. The plot is engrossing and the themes are effective. I think it’s a pretty genius idea.
I appreciate that Everett offers an often nuanced critique of ubiquitous and covert forms of racism. He points towards dangerous micro-aggressions directed at Black Americans and harmful stereotypes that unfortunately prevail today.
I appreciate the experimental nature of the interwoven stories and extended metaphors. Even when those are unsuccessful for me as a reader, I think it’s intriguing how the author constructs those tangential narratives.
Ultimately, though, I did not like this book. I really tried to like it, too.
I think Everett is extremely heavy handed in his writing. Large sections of the book are nearly unreadable, as he needlessly occupies pages and pages with Monk’s purposefully boring and long winded writing. There are pages of lists: Monk’s former books, books that have inspired his character, documents, etc.. Also, Monk offers literary critique of everything he reads; criticism that is wholly irrelevant to the story. All of the aforementioned details add nothing to his character, and are horribly and (seemingly) intentionally boring. It’s really unpleasant to read, and it’s completely masturbatory.
We read the entirety of Monk’s story “Fuck,” which is supposed to be horribly written, as much a parody as it is an exposé of racist and unserious readership. Although it is attempting to satirize that style of work, and effectively emphasizes white Americans’ ignorance and discrimination, it also perpetuates many harmful stereotypes and invokes intersectional trauma without care.
In that story, “Fuck”, there are three separate instances of sexual assault, which the reader is forced to engage with in excruciatingly graphic detail. There is casual violence against women, misogyny, anti-Asian rhetoric, ableism, homophobia, etc.. Clearly, the author is trying to draw attention to those things, but the criticism does not go far enough. This is evidenced by the fact that, in Monk’s real life, he has homophobic and misogynistic thoughts and opinions. Therefore, is the story within the story effective as satire? I would argue: not wholly.
Monk is a pretty unpleasant protagonist. He’s just an asshole, to be honest. He’s casually fatphobic, he’s homophobic, he’s mean to his brother and the housekeeper. All of his negative attributes do not particularly make me want to root for him by the end.
I understand that Everett likes a vague ending to his books, leading the audience to wonder what happens next. Still, there are so many huge moments that the reader is not privy to, it seems unfinished.
On top of all of this, there are gratuitous sex scenes including two memories of prepubescent sexual interactions, which are very uncomfortable to read. Didn’t like that at all.
Yeah, not for me….
(Note: Maybe it’s blasphemous to say, but I loved the movie adaptation American Fiction. For me, it amplified the best parts of the story, and edited out the parts that frustrated me so greatly, as a reader.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Ableism, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Dementia, Antisemitism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Fatphobia, and Medical content
amiegold's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Erasure is definitely one of the best books I've read this year. This book took me by complete surprise. I immediately connected with Monk, our African-American main character who is well educated and comes from a loving and stable home. Monk reminisces on how he has strived and given his all to his literature, which he calls his art, and how it has not been received well. Specifically, the feedback is that nobody wants to read it and it isn't 'black' enough. In his frustration, as he is dealing with very real and relatable problems in his personal life., monk pens a work of fiction under the name 'My Pafology' that is offensive, ridiculous, and shocking. I have to admit that I only read a few pages of 'My Pafology' as Percival Everett includes it in this book and its entirety. But even having read that gave me plenty of background to enjoy the rest of the novel. I felt Monks disgust with himself and our culture throughout this book as his satirical work is applauded as some of the best fiction ever released in African American literature. Monk is offended, and I'm offended for him. This book made me laugh and cry, sometimes on the same page. It has definitely has earned a place on my shelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Homophobia, Racism, and Rape
stephe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Picked this up after seeing American Fiction and I really wish I had read it before seeing the film. I thought the film was great, but fairly easy to grasp in a way that the book is not. I was surprised by how at a loss I felt reading, my lack in theory and arts making itself felt sharply throughout. More than anything, I think I was surprised that this seems more of a book that has a beef with academia even more than pop fiction—an angle that is not as visibly present in the film.
Still, feeling my own lack is not a bad thing. This book made me think more than many books do, and even the elements that left me out in the deep end still got their sustained engagement out of me. Heck, this book even made trout fishing sound great, a feeling I don’t think I’ve ever had.
One thing I really recommend, for either reading the novel or viewing the film: read James Baldwin’s essay “Everybody’s Protest Novel” in Notes of a Native Son alongside. I just happened to be reading through Baldwin’s collected essays as I worked through Erasure, and it dovetails quite nicely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Police brutality, Misogyny, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Cursing, Classism, Body shaming, Homophobia, Violence, Rape, Racial slurs, Abortion, and Murder
Without spoiling the story, nearly all of the graphic content is intentionally and satirically lurid and outlandish, not depictions grounded in the world of the story.cityiguana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The single most uncomfortable audiobook I’ve ever listened to (but very good!)
The narrator in particular was great
The narrator in particular was great
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Rape, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Homophobia
aqtbenz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Gun violence, Racism, Homophobia, and Dementia
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual violence, Infidelity, and Racial slurs
kreglow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Excrement, Kidnapping, Sexism, Child abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Gore, Violence, Cursing, Drug abuse, Grief, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Bullying, Mental illness, Slavery, Blood, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Classism, Dementia, Infidelity, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, and Terminal illness
carriepond's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Erasure is the best thing I've read this year. It is hilarious, biting satire, which I expected, but also a tender and moving portrait of a middle-aged man as he grapples with grief, family drama, and his mother's advancing Alzheimer's.
For those unfamiliar, Erasure is the novel on which the movie American Fiction is based. Its recent adaption makes sense; although it was written in 2001, the book's critique of what books by Black authors are published and marketed and how they are consumed by a largely white audience is just as relevant in 2024 as it was in 2001. And there are so many layers to the book's critiques about race, class, and art that not even our main character, Thelonius "Monk" Ellison, is safe from Everett's skewering.
I laughed so much during this book, but I was also blown away by it. This book is way smarter than I am, which I mean in the best way-- it doesn't feel pretentious, it doesn't try to be smarter-- it just is smart in a way that made me want to live in Everett's mind to move even a couple notches closer to his level. I wish I had read this with a book club because there is so much I admire that I want to talk with others about, and I know it would help me get even more out of it through the collective wisdom that comes with reading in community with others.
Highly recommend this book. It is awesome, and I am absolutely going to read more books by Percival Everett.
For those unfamiliar, Erasure is the novel on which the movie American Fiction is based. Its recent adaption makes sense; although it was written in 2001, the book's critique of what books by Black authors are published and marketed and how they are consumed by a largely white audience is just as relevant in 2024 as it was in 2001. And there are so many layers to the book's critiques about race, class, and art that not even our main character, Thelonius "Monk" Ellison, is safe from Everett's skewering.
I laughed so much during this book, but I was also blown away by it. This book is way smarter than I am, which I mean in the best way-- it doesn't feel pretentious, it doesn't try to be smarter-- it just is smart in a way that made me want to live in Everett's mind to move even a couple notches closer to his level. I wish I had read this with a book club because there is so much I admire that I want to talk with others about, and I know it would help me get even more out of it through the collective wisdom that comes with reading in community with others.
Highly recommend this book. It is awesome, and I am absolutely going to read more books by Percival Everett.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Dementia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Suicide and Homophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
sarahbiegelsen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, Cursing, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Racial slurs, Racism, Terminal illness, Death, Dementia, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Violence, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Medical content, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Death of parent, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Rape, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Antisemitism, Adult/minor relationship, and Body shaming
nopnutspls's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Murder, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia and Fatphobia
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