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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Smart, sharp, funny and dark!
The novel uses the backdrop of racism and the history of lynching in America.
If you don’t know much about this history, this book is not going to be obvious at first glance. But if you look up some things along the way, you’ll learn a lot and see just how brilliant this book really is.
Let’s be real here - Everett NEVER writes on one level! There are always layers and layers to his work. I’m sure this book is one that stands reading over and over again, that will be better each time you read it. He’s undoubtedly one of the most exciting writers of our age!
The most powerful thing in this book is the pages of names of real victims of racial terror in America. Integrated in the fictional story is a graveyard full of real people. Read all of their names out loud and let them come alive for another few seconds.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Smart, funny, terrifying, full of truths that need to rise up (avoiding a spoiler here). Reads like a satire but what makes it so horrific is that it’s actually more a documentary. It feels wrong to be so ‘entertained’ and gripped by a book that reveals the genocidal lynching, torture and inhuman treatment of thousands of Black Americans. But perhaps this is the only way to make us learn.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book really made me think. It doesn’t really fit into any category fully. I definitely recommend this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Blood, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Much lighter and funnier than you'd expect based on the subject matter, but still so powerful and effective.
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated