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bgg616's review against another edition
4.0
Set in rural Missouri in 1975, this is the story of exclusion, class and race. Missouri was a slave state (The 1820 Missouri Compromise), although many may not associate it with the Confederacy, it was, for a time, part of both the Union and the Confederacy.
Boady is a poor white kid, his mother a widow. At the end of his freshman year of high school, new neighbors move in. They're a middle class Black family from Minneapolis. The father has been sent down to straighten out things at a local factory. A Black woman employed at the factory has disappeared, and a lot of money is missing, There is a local group of KKK wannabes whose reach extends into all parts of the town Boady and Thomas, both outsiders, become friends, and the plot thickens.
A decent suspense story. The writer is a native of Missouri and he creates a story that does not rely on the usual tropes. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Boady is a poor white kid, his mother a widow. At the end of his freshman year of high school, new neighbors move in. They're a middle class Black family from Minneapolis. The father has been sent down to straighten out things at a local factory. A Black woman employed at the factory has disappeared, and a lot of money is missing, There is a local group of KKK wannabes whose reach extends into all parts of the town Boady and Thomas, both outsiders, become friends, and the plot thickens.
A decent suspense story. The writer is a native of Missouri and he creates a story that does not rely on the usual tropes. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
muddypuddle's review against another edition
5.0
An uplifting, sad, bittersweet story that kept me grinding my teeth in anger and frustration, but I loved it.
shoelessmama's review against another edition
4.0
I've never read anything by this author before but I may be delving into his backlist after the experience I had with this one.
cavolk's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this books as I have all of the books Allen Eskens has written. For me a good book brings me with the protagonist. And this was an excellent ride.
violentwaves's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
syndi3's review against another edition
Nothing More Dangerous has so many potential. I can tell from the writing, Mr. Eskens deliver such a powerful story.
Sadly, not my cuppa.
Sadly, not my cuppa.
sus7's review against another edition
5.0
I chose this book for our book club, so I hope the others like it as much as I did.
Interesting, powerful story, very well written. I think we'll have much to discuss!
Interesting, powerful story, very well written. I think we'll have much to discuss!
tashabye's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
martyfried's review against another edition
5.0
Allen Eskens is just amazing! I put this one off a while because I read that it was a YA title, but I never would have thought that if I didn't read it. It's probably good for young adults, though, but that doesn't mean old adults like me won't like it. It was another amazing book by a great author.
This is one of those books that manages to be both incredibly sad and incredibly uplifting all at the same time. It's a real roller coaster, with anger and admiration mixed in. It moves along a bit slowly, but you can feel the tension building up in the background, and you just know things are going to explode at some point. I'm glad I was listening to the audiobook (narrated by Kevin Stillwell, who did an excellent job), or I would have had to stop reading due to blurry type in some places.
I believe the title comes from a quote from MLK, from "Strength to Love" (1963), where he said: "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
My only complaint is that I've now read all but one of his books. I have the latest on reserve at my library, and look forward to the day my number comes up.
This is one of those books that manages to be both incredibly sad and incredibly uplifting all at the same time. It's a real roller coaster, with anger and admiration mixed in. It moves along a bit slowly, but you can feel the tension building up in the background, and you just know things are going to explode at some point. I'm glad I was listening to the audiobook (narrated by Kevin Stillwell, who did an excellent job), or I would have had to stop reading due to blurry type in some places.
I believe the title comes from a quote from MLK, from "Strength to Love" (1963), where he said: "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
My only complaint is that I've now read all but one of his books. I have the latest on reserve at my library, and look forward to the day my number comes up.
jeteitsworth's review against another edition
I wanted to like this book, but it was just too slow getting started. I kept coming back to it for a chapter and then abandoning it again for a week. I finally gave up.