Scan barcode
paolina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
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
4.5
The thing about satire is that it exaggerates the truth, to show us how ridiculous the reality is. The success of Black Buck as a satire is due to it not being all that far off from the truth. I found the book to be incredibly engaging, and I couldn't look away when the plot events started to go really south. I look forward to what Askaripour comes out with next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
bookishrealm's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
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
3.75
I finished this book days ago, but it took me a while to reason with my feelings about it. It’s unlike anything that I’ve read before and the audiobook was truly an experience, but there were some elements that didn’t work for me as a reader. 3.75 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars for GR
One of the most important things to recognize about Black Buck is that it is a satire. If you’re not a fan of satire’s this book may not be up your alley. Personally, I haven’t read many satirical works in my lifetime so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. The book itself focuses on Darren who is content working as a manager at Starbucks, living in brownstone in Bed-Stuy with his mother, and dating long-time girlfriend Soraya. It’s when he makes the decision to challenge a regular customer, Rhett, on his usually drink choice that his world takes an interesting turn. Darren then becomes “Buck” as he becomes employed and goes through this rough initiation process for Rhett’s company Sumwon. Unclear of the intentions of the company, it is surprising to watch Darren fully embrace his new persona and lose the closest things and people to him.
I’m going to be honest, the macro and micro-aggressions in this book are enough to make any Black person’s blood boil. And while they may seem exaggerated, there are so many Black individuals in corporate America that continuously deal with the same conflicts as Darren (I can’t bring myself to call him Buck). The intrigue in literally watching him sell his soul for the company had me on edge. In some ways it feels like psychological warfare. How could a Black man who knows that he’s dealing with passive-aggressive behavior, abuse, and racists managers and coworkers continue to go so hard for this company? But then I have to ask myself: in reality how many Black people have had to essentially sell themselves short and have lost family and friends just to make even close to the financial gains that their White counterparts make with ease? This is especially applicable in corporate America where “the rats race” is the name of the game. You do what you have to do to survive and while it’s ugly to watch, it’s reality. From the use of Darren to promote the company’s “efforts” on diversity and inclusion to saying that he reminds people of “insert any name of any famous Black man,” Askaripour does not shy away from making readers cringe (although I suspect Black readers will be floating between laughter and anger at behaviors that are reminiscent of what they see in their daily lives). Another interesting aspect of this book is that it is literally written as a cross between a sales manual and a memoir. It’s an instruction guide and really navigates the way in which Darren will conduct his life throughout the book. From joining the company to realizing that BIPOC people must create their own way. And when they do, expect White corporate America to be filled with rage.
Now as much as I enjoyed those specific elements of the book, I must admit that the second half of the book was a drag. Askaripour had a lot going in the first half, but the second half became too muddled with too many different elements. The book itself got away from him and he was attempting to do too much at once. Part of me understands the direction he was aiming for: some White people are bothered by the success of Black people, some White people won’t even be satisfied once Black people attempt to create their own spaces, “each one teach one” – Black people helping other Black people should always be our intention; however, it was too long and became just a tad bit on the unrealistic side. It was going in so many different directions that I, as a reader, began to question my interpretation of the novel. I found myself wishing that it would come to an end. And when I reached the very end, I was pissed. I was frustrated because it came across as no matter what Black people do they can’t win against a system that was designed to fail them from the beginning. It didn’t seem to fit the construct or the primary intention of the work as a whole. I’m not sure if it was intended to be a redemption arc (part of it felt that way); however, I didn’t buy into the way I should have because my attention was taken into so many different directions. Had this section of the text been more concise, I would have felt justified in giving it 4.5 stars or higher. Overall, I think that this was a solid read with fantastic storytelling. The message in this book is going to make some readers feel uncomfortable as it should. I haven’t had a book challenge me like this in a while. Part of me still doesn’t know what to think and part of me still feels like I need to read it again before the year is over with to make sure this is the rating I want to stick with. Interestingly enough, I’m anticipating what else Askaripour will offer the literary world.
One of the most important things to recognize about Black Buck is that it is a satire. If you’re not a fan of satire’s this book may not be up your alley. Personally, I haven’t read many satirical works in my lifetime so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. The book itself focuses on Darren who is content working as a manager at Starbucks, living in brownstone in Bed-Stuy with his mother, and dating long-time girlfriend Soraya. It’s when he makes the decision to challenge a regular customer, Rhett, on his usually drink choice that his world takes an interesting turn. Darren then becomes “Buck” as he becomes employed and goes through this rough initiation process for Rhett’s company Sumwon. Unclear of the intentions of the company, it is surprising to watch Darren fully embrace his new persona and lose the closest things and people to him.
I’m going to be honest, the macro and micro-aggressions in this book are enough to make any Black person’s blood boil. And while they may seem exaggerated, there are so many Black individuals in corporate America that continuously deal with the same conflicts as Darren (I can’t bring myself to call him Buck). The intrigue in literally watching him sell his soul for the company had me on edge. In some ways it feels like psychological warfare. How could a Black man who knows that he’s dealing with passive-aggressive behavior, abuse, and racists managers and coworkers continue to go so hard for this company? But then I have to ask myself: in reality how many Black people have had to essentially sell themselves short and have lost family and friends just to make even close to the financial gains that their White counterparts make with ease? This is especially applicable in corporate America where “the rats race” is the name of the game. You do what you have to do to survive and while it’s ugly to watch, it’s reality. From the use of Darren to promote the company’s “efforts” on diversity and inclusion to saying that he reminds people of “insert any name of any famous Black man,” Askaripour does not shy away from making readers cringe (although I suspect Black readers will be floating between laughter and anger at behaviors that are reminiscent of what they see in their daily lives). Another interesting aspect of this book is that it is literally written as a cross between a sales manual and a memoir. It’s an instruction guide and really navigates the way in which Darren will conduct his life throughout the book. From joining the company to realizing that BIPOC people must create their own way. And when they do, expect White corporate America to be filled with rage.
Now as much as I enjoyed those specific elements of the book, I must admit that the second half of the book was a drag. Askaripour had a lot going in the first half, but the second half became too muddled with too many different elements. The book itself got away from him and he was attempting to do too much at once. Part of me understands the direction he was aiming for: some White people are bothered by the success of Black people, some White people won’t even be satisfied once Black people attempt to create their own spaces, “each one teach one” – Black people helping other Black people should always be our intention; however, it was too long and became just a tad bit on the unrealistic side. It was going in so many different directions that I, as a reader, began to question my interpretation of the novel. I found myself wishing that it would come to an end. And when I reached the very end, I was pissed. I was frustrated because it came across as no matter what Black people do they can’t win against a system that was designed to fail them from the beginning. It didn’t seem to fit the construct or the primary intention of the work as a whole. I’m not sure if it was intended to be a redemption arc (part of it felt that way); however, I didn’t buy into the way I should have because my attention was taken into so many different directions. Had this section of the text been more concise, I would have felt justified in giving it 4.5 stars or higher. Overall, I think that this was a solid read with fantastic storytelling. The message in this book is going to make some readers feel uncomfortable as it should. I haven’t had a book challenge me like this in a while. Part of me still doesn’t know what to think and part of me still feels like I need to read it again before the year is over with to make sure this is the rating I want to stick with. Interestingly enough, I’m anticipating what else Askaripour will offer the literary world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
literarylaila's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, and Cancer
isbn_reading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
booknerdnative's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Racism, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Violence
onmalsshelf's review against another edition
First of all, thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a copy of Black Buck.
Secondly, I’m sadly DNFing at 118 pages. I’m positive this book will be loved by many, as is obvious by the high ratings at the Read with Jenna book Club sticker, but it’s not for me. I tried both audiobook and reading the physical copy and I just can’t keep going.
I understand this is supposed to be satire on racism and white supremacy in the workplace, actually I think Black Buck excels in that. That satire is well done. Have I outright laughed at all? No, but I’m chuckled at little bit.
However, I’ve seen no one discuss the use of the ‘R’ word as bullying as well as phrases such as ‘take the short bus’. So I’m going to throw that out there, this was one of the things that ruined the book for me. I can’t read books that use terms and phrases such as these that others use to demean people with learning and physical disabilities.
Also, I’m about to start a new job and the last thing I need for my mental health is to intake a ton of workplace bullying and hazing in a book.
Putting my mental health first and putting this one down. I hope it works for you if you’ve picked it up!
TW/CW: Racism, white supremacy, bullying, workplace hazing...there are probably more but I haven’t gotten to them yet in the book.
Secondly, I’m sadly DNFing at 118 pages. I’m positive this book will be loved by many, as is obvious by the high ratings at the Read with Jenna book Club sticker, but it’s not for me. I tried both audiobook and reading the physical copy and I just can’t keep going.
I understand this is supposed to be satire on racism and white supremacy in the workplace, actually I think Black Buck excels in that. That satire is well done. Have I outright laughed at all? No, but I’m chuckled at little bit.
However, I’ve seen no one discuss the use of the ‘R’ word as bullying as well as phrases such as ‘take the short bus’. So I’m going to throw that out there, this was one of the things that ruined the book for me. I can’t read books that use terms and phrases such as these that others use to demean people with learning and physical disabilities.
Also, I’m about to start a new job and the last thing I need for my mental health is to intake a ton of workplace bullying and hazing in a book.
Putting my mental health first and putting this one down. I hope it works for you if you’ve picked it up!
TW/CW: Racism, white supremacy, bullying, workplace hazing...there are probably more but I haven’t gotten to them yet in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, and Islamophobia
TW/CW: Racism, white supremacy, bullying, workplace hazing...there are probably more but I haven’t gotten to them yet in the book.kayleyhyde's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Grief, Torture, and Ableism
Minor: Homophobia
nashvillebookgirl's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I need more time to process this book. Not like anything I’ve ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Cancer, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
amressing's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Highly recommend the audiobook -Zeno Robinson’s narration is great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny and Bullying
Minor: Death and Violence
akhcreates's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
When this book is advertised as a fast and wild ride, that is accurate. I checked this out from the library on a whim, since it was the New York Public Library's Book of the Month, or something, and it sounded interesting. It was so interesting I had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep, even though normally I'll start drifting off 20-30 minutes in to my bedtime read. This book is fast-paced, contains interesting characters, twists I didn't see coming (and I pride myself on seeing twists), and food for thought around race/racism, family, what success is, and what is worth fighting for. I would highly recommend it, and I may buy it for a friend to support the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Death