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erich617's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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
4.5
This is an amusing, picaresque approach to the story of John Brown, with which I had only a passing familiarity.
caddyh301's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
countofpoictesme's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
iscalynch's review against another edition
5.0
be rootin', be tootin', and by God, be shootin', but most of all... be a plain terror in the prayer department
funny... shakespeare has been real quiet ever since james mcbride wrote, ""There is an eternity behind and an eternity before, Onion. [...] I won't live to see the change God wants. But I hope you do. [...] Whatever you is, Onion," he said, "be it in full. God is no respecter of persons. I loves you, Onion."" beneath the irreverent tone and unreliable narrator who decides to cause problems on purpose, what a ride... and what insights on identity, history and agency to meditate on... cracked though he may have been, I have to admire that peace was never an option for mcbride's portrait of osawatomie john brown, only justice
and by the way, how dare the world not revolve around ethan hawke's performance as john brown?? where are all the awards for joshua caleb johnson as onion??
funny... shakespeare has been real quiet ever since james mcbride wrote, ""There is an eternity behind and an eternity before, Onion. [...] I won't live to see the change God wants. But I hope you do. [...] Whatever you is, Onion," he said, "be it in full. God is no respecter of persons. I loves you, Onion."" beneath the irreverent tone and unreliable narrator who decides to cause problems on purpose, what a ride... and what insights on identity, history and agency to meditate on... cracked though he may have been, I have to admire that peace was never an option for mcbride's portrait of osawatomie john brown, only justice
and by the way, how dare the world not revolve around ethan hawke's performance as john brown?? where are all the awards for joshua caleb johnson as onion??
askatknits's review
4.0
Come and listen to the life of Henry Shackleford. James McBride makes you stop and think... to question what you believe. I agree with others who said that parts of this book dragged a bit, but the ending... oh my. It is spectacular! I highly recommend this book!
amjammi's review
3.0
Like a modern Mark Twain and for sure an instant classic, only problem is, I never liked Mark Twain.
themaddchadder's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
blairmahoney's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining romp through history. I enjoyed this book a lot and breezed through it. McBride does well in establishing a distinctive voice for his narrator.
anniebh's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
wolperding's review
adventurous
funny
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? No
3.75