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tmoore65's review against another edition
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really liked the first and second sections of the novel, I felt like the criticism and satire about corporate America and start up culture was really clear and funny. I definitely was able to appreciate it considering I recently started my first corporate job. But, then as the book progressed there were aspects that were just so sad and hard to read. It was physically painful to read the parts where Darren/Buck was acting like a traditional tech bro and growing apart from his friends and family. Then by the time Darren/Buck started the Happy Campers, it just felt like too little too late. He had been super horrible to everybody he knew for almost a whole year and only started acting like a decent person for the last couple of chapters, like I'm glad he got a redemption arc but it was still frustrating especially since this change in character was very sudden. But, I feel like most of my frustrations with this book are towards the white characters and how none of them change or get better, but I also feel like that's one of the most realistic parts of the novel so really my frustrations are with society and not the book itself. I really liked the style of the book, at times it reminded me of a self-help/memoir crossover which I think really suited the story especially when Darren/Buck would break the fourth wall and address the reader. Definitely a fresh and fun take on the corporate world and what it's like being a minority in that space. I know the author said his next book wouldn't be anything like this but I'm still excited to read whatever he puts out next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Racism
Moderate: Bullying, Torture, and Death of parent
khorva1996's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
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: Racial slurs, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Torture, Violence, and Alcohol
divaninoor's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Torture
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: Drug abuse and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Torture, and Violence
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: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Torture and Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
feministy's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Torture
meghopee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
onkenzisshelf's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
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
What I Liked:
- Everything. Seriously, this book was incredible.
- This was SUCH a good look into racism and ableism in the workforce, as well as a good picture of how greed and money can change someone.
- This book made me uncomfortable and made me think, for all of the right reasons.
- I HATED the characters I was supposed to hate, and loved the ones I was supposed to love. The author rounded his characters out beautifully.
- The narrator of this one was FABULOUS. One of the best narrators I've listened to.
You Should Read If You Like:
- If you're working towards antiracism, I highly suggest this one.
- DEFINITELY look at the TWs before picking this one up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Torture
leah_alexandra's review against another edition
dark
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
3.75
This book was good. It got a bit heavy-handed at times, but it's satire, so not that unexpected. I thought the starting characters were really well-developed, but by the time we get introduced to new characters in the second half of the book, I never felt like we really got to know them as people. All-in-all, an interesting read that won't shift your perspectives too much if you already have a fully cynical outlook towards corporate America/start-up culture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol