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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Read harder challenge 2023: Read a social horror, mystery, or thriller novel.
This represented another occasion on this challenge where I had to look up a definition of the sub-genre. An explanation I liked was that a social horror, mystery or thriller should be equal parts thought-provoking and terrifying, mysterious or thrilling, respectively.
White Tears by Hari Kunzru seems to combine elements of all these genres in this thorough and satisfyingly unsettling interrogation of cultural appropriation. The pacing is spot on, with the combination of a fanatical obsessiveness surrounding a niche collecting/audio recording hobby with subtly introduced supernatural elements totalling a superbly engaging narrative. At first I couldn't help but compare it to Perfume by Patrick Suskind, but with sounds instead of smells. Before too long though, it becomes something a whole lot darker and more sinister.
When thinking about this book in future, I will no doubt remember some moments of genuine surprise and grim satisfaction, especially as the threads all tie together at the end. Also, even though I'm somewhat loathe to mention this as I enjoyed the book so much, this would make an amazing film!
This represented another occasion on this challenge where I had to look up a definition of the sub-genre. An explanation I liked was that a social horror, mystery or thriller should be equal parts thought-provoking and terrifying, mysterious or thrilling, respectively.
White Tears by Hari Kunzru seems to combine elements of all these genres in this thorough and satisfyingly unsettling interrogation of cultural appropriation. The pacing is spot on, with the combination of a fanatical obsessiveness surrounding a niche collecting/audio recording hobby with subtly introduced supernatural elements totalling a superbly engaging narrative. At first I couldn't help but compare it to Perfume by Patrick Suskind, but with sounds instead of smells. Before too long though, it becomes something a whole lot darker and more sinister.
When thinking about this book in future, I will no doubt remember some moments of genuine surprise and grim satisfaction, especially as the threads all tie together at the end. Also, even though I'm somewhat loathe to mention this as I enjoyed the book so much, this would make an amazing film!
One giant, thrilling, and terrifying metaphor for “appropriation.”
I can’t really remember another time when I’ve been so wrong about the direction a story was going to take. Really well written, becomes almost hard to follow at some points but even that fits with the route the story takes. Cant say more without spoilers!
Spiraled into a book I didn’t quite find myself enjoying
Couldn’t put it down. Got confusing at some points. But fantastic, eerie book.
I'll admit, I found the title off putting. But
really it is fitting for this blusey ghost story. I wish I had more of an appreciation for records or old music. Actually, what would be perfect is a playlist for this novel. All said, I think it has a slow, but intriguing start. Got a little muddy towards the end (though I understand why) and it never really came together for me.
really it is fitting for this blusey ghost story. I wish I had more of an appreciation for records or old music. Actually, what would be perfect is a playlist for this novel. All said, I think it has a slow, but intriguing start. Got a little muddy towards the end (though I understand why) and it never really came together for me.
3.5. really interesting. maybe just not my type of fiction? for me first bit was a drag and then second bit was impossible to stop reading. not sure why this isn’t a 4 but just isn’t right this second
It is difficult to share why it is so captivating and amazing without spoiling too much of the plot, but I can say the early parts of the book introduce you to two particularly irritating white hipster men. They have an obsession with “real” music which essentially means any music that is from black culture and eventually this morphs into a hyper-focused interest in blues from the pre-war era for one of them. There are some seriously funny but bothersome passages discussing audiophile interests, vinyl collecting, and expectations of “real” musicians. I assure you, it is worth it to keep reading through the annoying narrator. The story really goes off the rails maybe halfway through and takes readers on a a new narrative that shifts our sense of reality and time, eventually ending with a note of satisfying and thought-provoking vengeance. Alternatively, this is also a story about white privilege, appropriation of black culture (especially music) in America, white wealth created from the exploitation of black bodies, the industrial prison system, and many more deep seated themes.
I loved the spirit of this book (no pun intended, as this is a ghost story). There was a great idea here with the setup of a friendship between a misfit and a wealthy kid, who start up a music business and stumble on a mysterious song that appears to be cursed. Some bad stuff happens, some things are revealed, and others are concealed. There are hints of madness. I like the ending, but plenty in the middle is confusing and could have been improved.