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thenovelmaura's review
dark
funny
medium-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
3.0
This book had an excellent narrator and as someone who works in tech, I appreciated its satirical take on toxic, racist startup and sales culture. It was painful to listen to at times, which is what makes it so cutting and effective.
On the flip side, the narrative itself was really drawn out (I wasn't always sure where the story was going or why I was still listening to it) and then Darren's character development pretty much came out of nowhere. He never really seemed to learn his lesson; just woke up one day and decided to change. I think this book is great in the sense that it could (and probably already has) kickstart conversations about the lack of diversity and accountability in the tech space, but it did lack the finesse to really drive those points home.
On the flip side, the narrative itself was really drawn out (I wasn't always sure where the story was going or why I was still listening to it) and then Darren's character development pretty much came out of nowhere. He never really seemed to learn his lesson; just woke up one day and decided to change. I think this book is great in the sense that it could (and probably already has) kickstart conversations about the lack of diversity and accountability in the tech space, but it did lack the finesse to really drive those points home.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
acoffeeandagoodbook's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Holy shit, this book. Black Buck is not at all what I expected, in the best possible way. At first, I wasn't sure it was for me, but as soon as Buck crossed the threshold of start-up tech company, Sumwun, I was sucked in.
Anyone who's worked in a ridiculous start-up will recognise Sumwun. The almost cult-like atmosphere, the chaos, the firm belief that what you're doing is somehow different and special, when really, all these companies are pretty much the same. For Buck, this insidious creep of corporate bullshit is accompanied by an atmosphere of casual racism, that he is forced to excuse if wants to get ahead. The running joke throughout the novel of white people telling Buck he looks exactly like a different famous black man is both smart and funny, and does a brilliant job of showing the daily drip of the racism from his colleagues.
The pace rattles along, and I really struggled to put the book down. In fact, I ended up blasting through it in a day. As Buck inevitably begins to become enamoured by the cult of Sumwun, the money, and his charismatic boss, I almost felt like I was watching a car crash in slow motion. You know the fall is coming, but there's nothing you can do to stop it.
And when the fall comes...wow. As the novel draws to a close, things ramp up to an unhinged level. The turns the story takes towards the end are not so much plot twists and hard swerves into a completely different place. Some of these twists and turns did stretch my credulousness a little, but the novel is satirical, so it's no surprise that it's over the top in places.
This book is smart, funny, and fast-paced. It's a hell of a read.
Anyone who's worked in a ridiculous start-up will recognise Sumwun. The almost cult-like atmosphere, the chaos, the firm belief that what you're doing is somehow different and special, when really, all these companies are pretty much the same. For Buck, this insidious creep of corporate bullshit is accompanied by an atmosphere of casual racism, that he is forced to excuse if wants to get ahead. The running joke throughout the novel of white people telling Buck he looks exactly like a different famous black man is both smart and funny, and does a brilliant job of showing the daily drip of the racism from his colleagues.
The pace rattles along, and I really struggled to put the book down. In fact, I ended up blasting through it in a day. As Buck inevitably begins to become enamoured by the cult of Sumwun, the money, and his charismatic boss, I almost felt like I was watching a car crash in slow motion. You know the fall is coming, but there's nothing you can do to stop it.
And when the fall comes...wow. As the novel draws to a close, things ramp up to an unhinged level. The turns the story takes towards the end are not so much plot twists and hard swerves into a completely different place. Some of these twists and turns did stretch my credulousness a little, but the novel is satirical, so it's no surprise that it's over the top in places.
This book is smart, funny, and fast-paced. It's a hell of a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Violence, Alcohol, Drug use, and Torture
staceface's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
thebooksarealright's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
annabulkowski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, and Cancer
beca_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.0
I've decided after reading 100 pages that this is not for me and to DNF. This book had so much potential and I liked the concept. I went into this knowing that it was satire but there were points where it just missed. I ended up giving up on this book due to the use of ableist slurs which were not challenged in the book. I'm disappointed by this as for the first time I got to read about a character with Tourettes (there are few books out there with characters with Tourette's and it's nice to be represented in a book); the representation wasn't bad it was a bit stereotypical but it was noted that not everyone with Tourette's swears which I appreciated. It annoys me as it ruined the decent disability representation for me by then going and using abelist slurs later in the book; it felt like one step forwards and two steps back. This book is definitely a love or dislike book, and unfortunately I disliked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Racism, and Racial slurs
sfkrug's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Drug abuse
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and Racial slurs
lmilfort's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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
4.0
a weird but engaging read. you’ll definitely feel 100 emotions reading this (especially anger), but worth it I think. about a young black man who risks everything he loves climbing from being a Starbucks barista to the top of the corporate ladder. eventually learning to lift as he climbs. the ending will piss you off though. the racial undertones are heavy, even more so because it’s partially satire so it doesn’t even attempt to be delicate. maybe I should read more male-written/male-led books?
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Racial slurs, and Racism
whatcassiedid's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-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
4.0
Darren was pretty unlikeable for most of the book but I'm glad I stuck with it, I really enjoyed it. Big Sorry To Bother You energy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, and Racial slurs
wellreadmegs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
WOW! I already know this is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2022!
I read the book & listened along to the audiobook as well & it's also one of the best audiobooks. I loved how the story was told & written. The narrator for the audiobook was so engaging and made you feel like he was your friend.
This book covers SO many important issues our society faces. Diversity in the workplace, affirmative action, & corporate America. I was captivated all the way to the very end. Every time you thought the story was over the plot just kept on twisting. This book should be required reading & should be in every book club - especially workplace book clubs.
So much happened in less than 400 pages.
I read the book & listened along to the audiobook as well & it's also one of the best audiobooks. I loved how the story was told & written. The narrator for the audiobook was so engaging and made you feel like he was your friend.
This book covers SO many important issues our society faces. Diversity in the workplace, affirmative action, & corporate America. I was captivated all the way to the very end. Every time you thought the story was over the plot just kept on twisting. This book should be required reading & should be in every book club - especially workplace book clubs.
So much happened in less than 400 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Torture and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Hate crime