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voya_k's review against another edition
5.0
Breathtaking. I read it in two sittings a week apart. I’m feeling like this is the best adult novel I’ve read this year. My heart hurts; it gave me a brain freeze of the soul. It’s chock full of potent quotables. Can we talk about Connie Stove? I used to know a Paul, but his name was Jim. This book has rendered me incoherent. Please read it.
botanyandbookends's review against another edition
4.0
As a white Midwesterner, I must say I felt a little voyeuristic peering into the world of a South Side Chicago teen as he navigated his way through life.
As I read EVERYWHERE YOU DON’T BELONG, I was repeatedly struck with how much mental fortitude can be cemented at a very early age. For some, strength and bravery are developed through strong family encouragement and societal achievements. For others, it is forged from repeated loss and boldly overcoming overwhelming obstacles.⠀
Often the media portrays life on the South Side of Chicago as either gang warfare or Michelle Obama. But where is the in-between? The place most urban Americans live? Author, Gabriel Bump takes us on a journey through the eyes of an everyday urban family living in a challenging neighborhood. He wanted his South Side readers to recognize themselves in his fictional (but true to life) story.⠀
The tempo of EVERYWHERE YOU DON’T BELONG moves at a fast clip. It’s a reading style that takes a second to get used to. But once you’re in the rhythm, good luck putting the book down. There are abrupt but brief jumps to the future weaved throughout the telling of this story of one young black man who can’t quite find his place in the world. Death and abandonment are reoccurring themes in this generational story. The sheer determination to do better boils underneath all the chaos.⠀
The time-period is predominantly during the Obama administration (a proud moment for any Chicagoan.) Change is promised but does the everyday black American see it? The main character is searching for the place where he belongs. It isn’t the civil-rights activism of his grandmother’s time but it also doesn’t seem to be in a college classroom either. He calls to question all of our individual stories of belongingness.⠀
Mixed with humor and racial integrity, EVERYWHERE will make you think, will awaken you to societies and cultures vastly different than your own, and will ultimately ask you how you find your own place in our world.⠀
This is a strong debut novel written from a place of knowing, believing and surviving.
As I read EVERYWHERE YOU DON’T BELONG, I was repeatedly struck with how much mental fortitude can be cemented at a very early age. For some, strength and bravery are developed through strong family encouragement and societal achievements. For others, it is forged from repeated loss and boldly overcoming overwhelming obstacles.⠀
Often the media portrays life on the South Side of Chicago as either gang warfare or Michelle Obama. But where is the in-between? The place most urban Americans live? Author, Gabriel Bump takes us on a journey through the eyes of an everyday urban family living in a challenging neighborhood. He wanted his South Side readers to recognize themselves in his fictional (but true to life) story.⠀
The tempo of EVERYWHERE YOU DON’T BELONG moves at a fast clip. It’s a reading style that takes a second to get used to. But once you’re in the rhythm, good luck putting the book down. There are abrupt but brief jumps to the future weaved throughout the telling of this story of one young black man who can’t quite find his place in the world. Death and abandonment are reoccurring themes in this generational story. The sheer determination to do better boils underneath all the chaos.⠀
The time-period is predominantly during the Obama administration (a proud moment for any Chicagoan.) Change is promised but does the everyday black American see it? The main character is searching for the place where he belongs. It isn’t the civil-rights activism of his grandmother’s time but it also doesn’t seem to be in a college classroom either. He calls to question all of our individual stories of belongingness.⠀
Mixed with humor and racial integrity, EVERYWHERE will make you think, will awaken you to societies and cultures vastly different than your own, and will ultimately ask you how you find your own place in our world.⠀
This is a strong debut novel written from a place of knowing, believing and surviving.
dascruggs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Police brutality
bookitbean's review against another edition
2.0
I’m conflicted about this book. On one hand, it has great depth without going into a lot of detail, but on the other hand I felt that the story was rushed and would have been so much richer if there was more depth in the dialogue and in the relationships. It touches on a lot of important social issues. I just wanted more from it. It was okay. Quick read.
ktreadsnm's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this, but it definitely got weirder as it went along...
katieschorr's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
kkpierce's review against another edition
3.0
I was a bit disappointed by this book. I liked the style of writing from the author, it's super simplistic and easy to read. I like that it jumps from story to story, but it ended kind of abruptly and in a way that I didn't see coming, but not in a good plot twist kind of way.
dianacarmel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is a unique and interesting story; it blurs the line between memoir and fiction based on the realistic characters and situations and the first person narration.
travel_through_pages's review against another edition
3.0
3.5stars
This is a great coming of age story set in South Shore Chicago. A book filled with a slew of diverse characters that tackles important issues on race, identity, family, friendship, and love.
This is a great coming of age story set in South Shore Chicago. A book filled with a slew of diverse characters that tackles important issues on race, identity, family, friendship, and love.