Scan barcode
ambershelf's review
4.0
4.25/5
Gifted by the publisher
Very stream of consciousness writing style that could be a hit or miss for readers. The sentences are also super long and sometimes I have to reread a couple times to understand the meaning. Definitely not a quick read even though ifs only 230 pages.
It’s hard to write about Black trauma without making it read like trauma porn. The author does a really great job describing everything Black men experiences—racism, violence, poverty, etc—that doesn’t feel melodramatic.
The writing style also strikes a good balance between funny nonchalance, dark humor, and incisive social commentary. It reminds me of that GIF of a boy laugh crying, and that was my reaction too!
Some of my favorite quotes:
I think about what it means to die of natural causes, or really feel natural or get to decide what is natural or unnatural and under what circumstances and in whose language, as I return to Red Top's room.
The symbolic in politics, the racism, the sex-ism, these things had already bored us for so long, just like the guilt of those newly discovered liberals who just then, six months into a forever war that should have, like most all wars waged by the empire and elsewhere, been illegal-where the legal vs. illegal had already been a bit of a sardonic double bind-come to discover their conscience after one of these psychos mows down a human fleeing in an open field with a vehicle-mounted .50-cal just because he planted a small bomb that didn't even kill anyone. (Yes this is one sentence
Gifted by the publisher
Very stream of consciousness writing style that could be a hit or miss for readers. The sentences are also super long and sometimes I have to reread a couple times to understand the meaning. Definitely not a quick read even though ifs only 230 pages.
It’s hard to write about Black trauma without making it read like trauma porn. The author does a really great job describing everything Black men experiences—racism, violence, poverty, etc—that doesn’t feel melodramatic.
The writing style also strikes a good balance between funny nonchalance, dark humor, and incisive social commentary. It reminds me of that GIF of a boy laugh crying, and that was my reaction too!
Some of my favorite quotes:
I think about what it means to die of natural causes, or really feel natural or get to decide what is natural or unnatural and under what circumstances and in whose language, as I return to Red Top's room.
The symbolic in politics, the racism, the sex-ism, these things had already bored us for so long, just like the guilt of those newly discovered liberals who just then, six months into a forever war that should have, like most all wars waged by the empire and elsewhere, been illegal-where the legal vs. illegal had already been a bit of a sardonic double bind-come to discover their conscience after one of these psychos mows down a human fleeing in an open field with a vehicle-mounted .50-cal just because he planted a small bomb that didn't even kill anyone. (Yes this is one sentence
tracithomas's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a sort of stream of consciousness book. It is wildly creative and so voicey. Voicey is my favorite. The book has a lot of sex talk which is always hard for me (a prude) but it is well done. It is funny and fucked up and Thomas has such a unique and singular voice on the page. There were parts where I would zone out on the audio and think thats the nature of a book like this, but it didn't always hold my attention.
arbitrarytree's review against another edition
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
dreerdre's review against another edition
Proust wishes. Brutal and loud and as unserious as it is incredibly serious. Kind of like getting yelled at in its degree of overstimulation but once you’re done getting yelled at you’re like damn that was a very cogent series of points.
notartgarfunkel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.5
andreaturner's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-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
4.0
knotekerin's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
this book is unlike anything else i’ve ever read. in awe of how Thomas masterfully balances humor and very heavy shit with the stream of consciousness writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abortion
dallas_shattuck's review
3.0
I may change my star rating, but I’m still trying to process this book.
The author’s writing style is definitely unique - lyrical and poetic, switching timelines. It drew me in. But I had trouble keeping track of where we were in the story - past and present and who all the characters were. I read the author’s memoir earlier this year, and I could see some themes from his life in this book.
Overall, I think I give this 3/3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my gifted copy!
The author’s writing style is definitely unique - lyrical and poetic, switching timelines. It drew me in. But I had trouble keeping track of where we were in the story - past and present and who all the characters were. I read the author’s memoir earlier this year, and I could see some themes from his life in this book.
Overall, I think I give this 3/3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my gifted copy!