Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Hell of a Book

Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

missmacreads's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.75

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deedireads's review

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emotional funny sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.75

All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.

TL;DR REVIEW:

Hell of a Book is a really creative, really affecting novel that’s as funny as it is devastating. One heck of a ride, it will surprise you and move you.

For you if: You like novels that play with form in a creative way while also remaining ultra-readable.

FULL REVIEW:

“Every child like you in this country has been swallowed up by the monster since before they were even born. And every Black parent in the history of this country has tried to stop that monster from swallowing them up and has failed at it. And every day they live with that.”

Wow, OK. Where to even start with this one? Hell of a Book wasn’t really on my radar until it was longlisted (now shortlisted) for the National Book Award, but I’m glad it found its way onto my TBR in the end. This one is super creative, super smart, and both funny and devastating. And it’s definitely one heck of a ride.

The main character is an unnamed Black man on tour for his debut, bestselling novel called Hell of a Book. What’s it about? Hell if he knows. But it’s great; everyone says so. He’s living recklessly and wildly; anyway, his “condition” makes him never quite sure what’s real or what’s not. Including the young Black boy who claims he’s real, just invisible to others at will. The novel also bounces back and forth to show The Kid’s past, just as our narrator’s background comes into sharper focus.

It’s been a long time since I read a novel as creative or smart as this one. The beginning is comic, voicey, almost bouncy. You’re curious, amused. But the way it all comes together? Mott has used this creativity to shed light on a really heavy topic — Blackness, police violence, racial and generational trauma — and tell a devastating story is incredible. It’s a slow boil; you won’t know what hit you until you’re walloped on the floor. It’s wild to call this book fun, but it was; and yet it was also heartwrenching, wise, and effective.

Also, I highly recommend the audiobook for this one; the voice actor did an incredible job and it added a lot to my reading experience. If you’re up for a unique (but still very readable) form and voice, pick this one up.

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strmom18's review

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dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

A lot of people would find the subject matter and main character dark/heavy, but this story gives voice to that inner child in all of us. That child in us that looks at pain without flinching. This book had me in thinking about my past hurts and my brother (he passed away before he really lived). This book allows us to look at ourselves and how we handle all that life throws our way.

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gem114's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-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

2.0

Hell of a Book by Jason Mott is a unique narrative that follows an unnamed African American author on a book tour, a young black boy called Soot, and a possibly imaginary boy known as The Kid. The book addresses racism, police brutality, mental health, and the publishing industry.

I would absolutely recommend this book to fans of Kurt Vonnegut. The style and structure of Hell of a Book remind me of Vonnegut's writing. I would say this book is to racism what Slaughter-House Five is to war (hopefully that makes sense to other readers!).

With that said, I am not a Kurt Vonnegut fan, and I also wasn't a fan of this book. I appreciate what Mott is doing in this book, and I believe it will likely become a highly regarded novel, but I just don't enjoy reading this style of writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Dutton for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

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isnotacrayon's review

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challenging emotional reflective medium-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

5.0

This book is no joke. Charlie Kauffman-esque in its surrealism that devolves into almost fever dream. The most unreliable narrator ever. Fantastic writing, and meaning, and it should be read by the masses.

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