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nielstav's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
thedarkerbrother's review against another edition
tense
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? Yes
4.0
mcloonejack's review against another edition
4.0
It’s Colson Whitehead writing about 1960s Harlem, of course it’s amazing.
I haven’t read much Whitehead (the only other one of his book’s I’ve read is Zone One, which I loved) but it’s readily apparent why he’s so beloved, even if this isn’t either of his two more prestigious novels. He writes with such a deft, confident hand. One of his most impressive abilities is making it *feel* hot (though maybe that was just because I was reading this during a heat wave), but not by telling you it’s hot. But not even necessarily by showing you it’s hot, either. It just… exudes being hot. Who am I to try and explain how?
The story itself was engaging, if nothing particular special plot-wise. The characters, however, were really strongly built through anecdotes and asides.
And of course, as an avowed heist movie fan, I’ll love any heist book.
I haven’t read much Whitehead (the only other one of his book’s I’ve read is Zone One, which I loved) but it’s readily apparent why he’s so beloved, even if this isn’t either of his two more prestigious novels. He writes with such a deft, confident hand. One of his most impressive abilities is making it *feel* hot (though maybe that was just because I was reading this during a heat wave), but not by telling you it’s hot. But not even necessarily by showing you it’s hot, either. It just… exudes being hot. Who am I to try and explain how?
The story itself was engaging, if nothing particular special plot-wise. The characters, however, were really strongly built through anecdotes and asides.
And of course, as an avowed heist movie fan, I’ll love any heist book.
erinmz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
I loved the way the story unfolds along with the historical events of the city. Experiencing the changes within and to characters as the city also changes around them.
ejulin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eggbeater's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.75
The plot meandered a lot and there were many characters to keep up with. It may have been easier to read this book in print, but I enjoyed learning about Harlem's history and I appreciated Ray Carney's conundrum.
julieschein's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
jennyluwho's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the view of 50s Harlem, but question it’s authenticity.
ekatayama's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-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
3.0