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cavernism's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It felt bizarre to read this book that's published in 2021, because it feels like it was written 5 years ago and so a lot of the details feel out of date - like the start-up company's "crazy" idea is basically BetterHelp/online therapy - not exactly groundbreaking or new. The "amazing" salary Darren is offered is $40,000 a year plus a bonus. I live in the Midwest and 40k is not a big salary...I can't imagine it would cover costs in New York City.
I'm pretty okay with things in satire being exaggerated/over-the-top - that's the point. I'm not okay with setting up promises to the reader - "This character is going to put these other character in situations where they'll have to use sales techniques" and then ignore them - "the characters will actually just panic and run away." This situation happens twice in the space of a few pages.
And then, there's the Supportive Girlfriend. Her characterization is basically being curvaceous and going to nursing school and supporting her boyfriend. I'm over it.
There were things I enjoyed - I definitely wasn't sure where the plot was going to go so that made it at a fast read, but overall it ended up being a frustrating read, and the fact that the marketing compared this book to the movie Sorry to Bother You made this feel even weaker, because Sorry to Bother You is a much more inventive, strange, and memorable story about race and capitalism.
And then, there's the Supportive Girlfriend. Her characterization is basically being curvaceous and going to nursing school and supporting her boyfriend. I'm over it.
There were things I enjoyed - I definitely wasn't sure where the plot was going to go so that made it at a fast read, but overall it ended up being a frustrating read, and the fact that the marketing compared this book to the movie Sorry to Bother You made this feel even weaker, because Sorry to Bother You is a much more inventive, strange, and memorable story about race and capitalism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Bullying
Moderate: Ableism, Xenophobia, Torture, Sexism, Mental illness, Islamophobia, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
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.
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