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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
Vinson Cunningham's Great Expectations takes on a lot—race, the complexity of faith and religion, fatherhood and a very specific but significant course of U.S politics but the execution feels uneven, and these themes never explored as deeply as they could be. The dialogue portion dominates the narrative, cause the actual mastery on prose aka descriptions or internal monologues is thin. While this choice might work for some people, it ended up making my reading experience feel a bit flat without much space for reflection or deeper engagement. The metafictional elements are interesting in theory but didn’t help me connect with the story. I was supposed to care about David’s (or the protagonist’s) experiences, but I found it hard to feel invested. The central theme of this book—the campaign for the future first Black president and his eventual victory, which many in reality saw as a near-magical fix for all of America’s problems—tries to take a more clear-eyed approach but the attempt is a little feeble.
“In my heart I know you didn’t just come here for me, you came here because you believe in what this country can be.”
If this story resembles the campaign of a long-ago Senator Barack Obama running for President from a campaign staffer named David, you aren’t imagining it. Of course, there are no names given here. The author just refers to the candidate as Senator. But the references feel so familiar you can’t help but sense that this is who it is.
And, why would this be the case? Because, in many ways, the author is sharing his own story, even if this debut novel is fiction.
In 2008, Cunningham, who was in his 20’s at that time, worked on the Obama campaign and then, in his White House. So, it is only natural that he would want to write about his experience.
Still, as we readers sit in the background and read this book watching everything play out, we also can’t help but feel a bit detached from everything. Well, at least I did. It is like he wants us there, but we are so far in the distance, we don’t feel like we are really connected to the characters. Like I said, the candidate is just referred to as the Senator. Anything personable or relatable is felt at a distance.
And, even though we are immediately brought in to the campaign to meet all the various staffers and feel the flash and pull of what is involved to get a candidate elected, it moves at a frenetic pace without emotion.
As readers we can sense the campaign precision, perhaps even the humor, and even the expectations of behavior – i.e., “where do young staffers sleep when stationed in new cities?” (Trailer parks, highway motels – anywhere with a cheap and friendly bed.) Even how to behave towards the candidate – especially since he is Black. The author is Black, as well. And, I only mention that because he feels it is important that we know this through how he writes his character, David.
And, perhaps there is some meaning in the title of the book. How will this come into play? Were there some great expectations? And, if so, were they met?
Still, with everything we know that surrounded the true campaign, and eventual election of Obama, I would have greater expectations that would showcase the amazing energy and drive and charisma and Hope generated that drove this country to support Obama to a win.
And, even if this book was not “technically” about Obama, for me, it was missing a heart and a soul in its interpretation of that time in history. Otherwise, I believe its intention and potential as a story could have been great.
3.5 stars rounded down
If this story resembles the campaign of a long-ago Senator Barack Obama running for President from a campaign staffer named David, you aren’t imagining it. Of course, there are no names given here. The author just refers to the candidate as Senator. But the references feel so familiar you can’t help but sense that this is who it is.
And, why would this be the case? Because, in many ways, the author is sharing his own story, even if this debut novel is fiction.
In 2008, Cunningham, who was in his 20’s at that time, worked on the Obama campaign and then, in his White House. So, it is only natural that he would want to write about his experience.
Still, as we readers sit in the background and read this book watching everything play out, we also can’t help but feel a bit detached from everything. Well, at least I did. It is like he wants us there, but we are so far in the distance, we don’t feel like we are really connected to the characters. Like I said, the candidate is just referred to as the Senator. Anything personable or relatable is felt at a distance.
And, even though we are immediately brought in to the campaign to meet all the various staffers and feel the flash and pull of what is involved to get a candidate elected, it moves at a frenetic pace without emotion.
As readers we can sense the campaign precision, perhaps even the humor, and even the expectations of behavior – i.e., “where do young staffers sleep when stationed in new cities?” (Trailer parks, highway motels – anywhere with a cheap and friendly bed.) Even how to behave towards the candidate – especially since he is Black. The author is Black, as well. And, I only mention that because he feels it is important that we know this through how he writes his character, David.
And, perhaps there is some meaning in the title of the book. How will this come into play? Were there some great expectations? And, if so, were they met?
Still, with everything we know that surrounded the true campaign, and eventual election of Obama, I would have greater expectations that would showcase the amazing energy and drive and charisma and Hope generated that drove this country to support Obama to a win.
And, even if this book was not “technically” about Obama, for me, it was missing a heart and a soul in its interpretation of that time in history. Otherwise, I believe its intention and potential as a story could have been great.
3.5 stars rounded down
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Some of the scenes are well written but overall the book doesn’t come together nor is the protagonist growth evident in any profound way.
Maybe it’s better not to name a book after a classic without delivering a classic
Maybe it’s better not to name a book after a classic without delivering a classic