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noonanjohnc's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racial slurs, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
sonjbean's review
3.0
3.5 stars
i think i was expecting a more cut and dried approach to the murder and in that sense i could be disappointed by this book, but i'm actually not.
i like the conversational aspects of safran's writing and his documentary style translates well to the page. you can tell throughout that he is trying to present an unbiased and, as truthful as possible, re-telling of events. it is also a very interesting portrait of mississippi and their ongoing race war.
however,
i think i was expecting a more cut and dried approach to the murder and in that sense i could be disappointed by this book, but i'm actually not.
i like the conversational aspects of safran's writing and his documentary style translates well to the page. you can tell throughout that he is trying to present an unbiased and, as truthful as possible, re-telling of events. it is also a very interesting portrait of mississippi and their ongoing race war.
however,
Spoiler
i thought the parts with vincent's "girlfriend" chywanna were really awkward. safran seemed to turn into a bumbling teenager when he spoke to her and the "engagement" was the strangest part of the book. i get that it's an uncomfortable situation (i felt weird just reading it) but why didn't safran ask her how she was feeling about it afterwards? there's also a part, after he first speaks with chywanna and finds out that she and vincent aren't actually together, where vincent tells him that he and chywanna have been talking on the phone. safran doesn't ask her to confirm this even though you get the impression from the first interview that she doesn't want anything to do with vincent anymore. it seems like a weird thing to not follow through on, surely you would want to ask as many questions as possible? considering the honesty found throughout most of this book i just found the above a bit too shallow.keepingupwiththepenguins's review against another edition
5.0
My full review of Murder In Mississippi is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
Murder In Mississippi is a book about the process of researching and writing a true crime book, far more than a book about the crime itself. Searching my feelings about half-way through, I realised I cared about whether Safran actually got onto McGee’s prison visitor list to interview the man in person, far more than I cared whether McGee actually committed a crime and/or what actually happened at Barrett’s house that night. Safran’s investigation, his frustrations and his doubts are the focus of the story, and that makes for a refreshing and compelling read.
Murder In Mississippi is a book about the process of researching and writing a true crime book, far more than a book about the crime itself. Searching my feelings about half-way through, I realised I cared about whether Safran actually got onto McGee’s prison visitor list to interview the man in person, far more than I cared whether McGee actually committed a crime and/or what actually happened at Barrett’s house that night. Safran’s investigation, his frustrations and his doubts are the focus of the story, and that makes for a refreshing and compelling read.
jessplanninglife's review
dark
slow-paced
3.0
I really don't know how I feel about this book. I love John and it's definitely an interesting case but also very dark and depressing and confusing and just leaves you thinking - WTAF?
But I guess that's the nature of the case and the people involved. Truth is always stranger than fiction.
But I guess that's the nature of the case and the people involved. Truth is always stranger than fiction.
melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger warnings: murder, racism, homophobia, antisemitism.
3.5 stars.
I've been intrigued by this book for years now. And while it was definitely an interesting insight into Mississippi's culture and continuing racism, there was ultimately far more of interest in the first half of the book than the second.
At the end of the day, I think that Safran found himself trying to come up with a story about a case that initially sounded interesting but ultimately ended in no clear cut answers, and so he ended up trying to create a story where there wasn't really a whole lot to tell. Still, I enjoyed his writing, so I'll probably pick up one of his other works in the future.
3.5 stars.
I've been intrigued by this book for years now. And while it was definitely an interesting insight into Mississippi's culture and continuing racism, there was ultimately far more of interest in the first half of the book than the second.
At the end of the day, I think that Safran found himself trying to come up with a story about a case that initially sounded interesting but ultimately ended in no clear cut answers, and so he ended up trying to create a story where there wasn't really a whole lot to tell. Still, I enjoyed his writing, so I'll probably pick up one of his other works in the future.