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avedon_arcade's review against another edition
3.0
What an intense and moving story. While it reminded me of The House on Mango Street, the narrative goes deeper and defines its characters so well you can picture them.
Each of the characters are sympathetic and you feel for them. And you also feel a sense of pride for their tenacity. It certainly reminded me of life back in Chicago.
Each of the characters are sympathetic and you feel for them. And you also feel a sense of pride for their tenacity. It certainly reminded me of life back in Chicago.
hunterkess's review against another edition
4.0
The writing style is very minimalist, which isn’t usually something I enjoy but I think it worked well for this story line. The main character, Claude, is a kind hearted yet unexceptional person and it felt right that his story wasn’t surrounded by flowery prose and metaphors, but rather a very direct, honest account of his exceptional life. It felt more like a biography than a story at times, but the ending wrapped up the book nicely and gave more meaning to the string of memories. I definitely recommend this book!
owmyleg's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up. I enjoyed getting to know Claude, his family, and his community. The part of the book that focuses on MO felt incomplete to me. The ending truly confused me, and I am sorry to say that this part is what spoiled the experience for me. This book continues to make me think, which is always a positive.
mika444's review against another edition
5.0
Everywhere You Don’t Belong is a literary delicacy that will indulge your senses with its heart filling essence.
This all encompassing story builds on emotional likeness that deeply connects you with the characters rhythm and blues. .
Building upon the novel’s literary boldness,
Gabriel Bump’s ability to capture our own life’s complexities, within each and every character, gives a realistic fiction approach that holds space for us , in this world.
This coming of age story mirrors life and allows for us to witness a coming of age story through the eyes of a black male.
With its witty approach laced with hues of blues, Gabriel Bum symbolically showcases what it means to be Black.
This all encompassing story builds on emotional likeness that deeply connects you with the characters rhythm and blues. .
Building upon the novel’s literary boldness,
Gabriel Bump’s ability to capture our own life’s complexities, within each and every character, gives a realistic fiction approach that holds space for us , in this world.
This coming of age story mirrors life and allows for us to witness a coming of age story through the eyes of a black male.
With its witty approach laced with hues of blues, Gabriel Bum symbolically showcases what it means to be Black.
literarygadd's review against another edition
4.0
A welcome and needed glimpse into the life and mind of a young, black male in Chicago, Everywhere You Don’t Belong is set amidst historical riots and landmark events. Claude is an intelligent but conflicted youth growing up in a broken and chaotic home that makes up with love and humor what it lacks in convention. As he grows, you witness the path that shapes his tender heart, leading him into a bright future.
Bump’s unique writing style lends to the raw and intense subject matter while hinting at the youthfulness of the main character and author. Highlighting a quiet soul amongst a violent background, he serves an insight into what can often be difficult to interpret amidst political and racial tension. Throughout the story, you’re introduced to a wide range of characters, with many temporary roles and very few permanent structures. Oddball guardians, Paul and Grandma, offer a comedic respite from the tragic routine of the South Shore, while Janice supplies a friendly and romantic relationship rife with angsty teen realism.
Reading this is an experience that will stay with me for awhile and I look forward to sharing this book with friends and readers.
Many thanks to Algonquin Books for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
Bump’s unique writing style lends to the raw and intense subject matter while hinting at the youthfulness of the main character and author. Highlighting a quiet soul amongst a violent background, he serves an insight into what can often be difficult to interpret amidst political and racial tension. Throughout the story, you’re introduced to a wide range of characters, with many temporary roles and very few permanent structures. Oddball guardians, Paul and Grandma, offer a comedic respite from the tragic routine of the South Shore, while Janice supplies a friendly and romantic relationship rife with angsty teen realism.
Reading this is an experience that will stay with me for awhile and I look forward to sharing this book with friends and readers.
Many thanks to Algonquin Books for a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions are my own.
heathershectichideaway's review against another edition
5.0
This book from the beginning was kind of confusing with the setting. I recommend going into this book with some background of the book before you start it. Once I got a few chapters into it and we were introduced to the setting and characters I really enjoyed it. I read almost the entire thing in one sitting. This book discusses the topic of race inequality and how it effects people in the long run. We followed two African American teenagers who are from Chicago and their struggles to defy the stereotypes of drug dealers and prostitution. This was just an addictive book I didn’t want to put it down. I highly recommend it to anyone to pick up!
rachelshattuck's review against another edition
5.0
Everywhere You Don’t Belong by Gabriel Bump 5/5 ⭐️ - I loved this book. It’s a coming of age story of a teenager from Chicago’s South side, who was abandoned by his parents and raised by his activist grandmother and her flamboyant friend Paul who makes his own questionable decisions. Claude grapples with childhood friendships, basketball tryouts, first love, neighborhood gangs, drugs, racial profiling, a riot, choosing a college and a major, moving away from home, reconciling his parents decisions, heartache, and the repercussions of things beyond his control. Published just this February, this is the debut novel from a brilliant South Shore native, and it shows how close the author is to his subject matter. I love the level of detail in setting he is able to give. His characters are fascinating, nuanced, and believable. I can’t wait to read what’s next from him. #rachels2020readinglist