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margotbronec's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Racism
mpagerage's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? No
4.0
steel_city_peach's review against another edition
3.0
Quirky
I’m not sure that I know how to describe this coming-of-age story. I struggled to catch the rhythm of the writing in the first quarter. It felt like he was writing in a staccato cadence. It did become more fluid as the story continued. The lead character was downright pitiful. I kept hoping he’d blossom into something more likable. He did not. I found myself pushing forward just to be done with this book. The one bright spot was the comic relief that Paul’s character brought to the story.
I’m not sure that I know how to describe this coming-of-age story. I struggled to catch the rhythm of the writing in the first quarter. It felt like he was writing in a staccato cadence. It did become more fluid as the story continued. The lead character was downright pitiful. I kept hoping he’d blossom into something more likable. He did not. I found myself pushing forward just to be done with this book. The one bright spot was the comic relief that Paul’s character brought to the story.
mike_trigg's review against another edition
3.0
I have much respect for the author and the important subject of this book. As a coming-of-age story about a poor black kid living in South Chicago, this novel provides an important, and presumably semi-autobiographical, perspective on the enormous socio-economic and racial challenges of those circumstances. I just wanted to see a more complex character in Claude, the protagonist. As empathetic as I was for him, his struggle seemed a little predictable, his path out too straight-forward, and the circumstances around the story's climax somewhat implausible. Still, an important story and one I'm glad I read.
jbca2023's review against another edition
5.0
Not good at reviews, but I liked the book. I thought going back through Claud's life was interesting, funny, and heartbreaking, and I'm interested in reading more of Gabriel Bump's work.
audra_spiven's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is probably profound in important ways that elude me, but the writing style isn't my cup of tea. I have never enjoyed the stream-of-consciousness style.
briannab's review against another edition
5.0
Oops—finished in a day. I walk out of the room I was holed up in and without even looking up my partner says, “you should not *buy* books.” But I’m so glad to have this one on my shelf. Stunningly beautiful read. I’ll update with more thoughts later.
joshbushey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sunshineariel's review against another edition
Did not finish. The choppy writing style was not my cup of tea.