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danileighta's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! At times the writing is very blunt and honest and at times you feel like you're in someone's dream. If you're interested in great writing, interesting characters, and themes around race and racism, check this book out.
angieoverbooked's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There is just something about Danzy Senna’s writing style that does it for me.
Did I like Maria, the MC? No. Do I normally prefer likeable MCs in contemporary fiction? Yes. (As opposed to thrillers, where I almost always find the characters to be unlikeable but can still get into the story.)
Still, Senna successfully put me in a trance as I read this story of a biracial (could pass for white) woman in 1990s Brooklyn as she quietly unravels in the most concerning of ways. It’s a book that seems like mostly vibes but there are fascinating moments weaved in that address both self-identity and group-identity. And commentary on cults always interests me so I liked the way that fit into this story because Maria is writing her dissertation on the Jonestown massacre.
Still, Senna successfully put me in a trance as I read this story of a biracial (could pass for white) woman in 1990s Brooklyn as she quietly unravels in the most concerning of ways. It’s a book that seems like mostly vibes but there are fascinating moments weaved in that address both self-identity and group-identity. And commentary on cults always interests me so I liked the way that fit into this story because Maria is writing her dissertation on the Jonestown massacre.
This isn’t a book for everyone but it is for me. I’d previously only read Caucasia by Senna but now I’m going to read the rest of her catalog asap. And I can’t wait for her 2024 release.
Ratings
Quality of Writing 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot Development 3/5
Character Development 4/5
Overall Enjoyability 5/5
Quality of Writing 5/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot Development 3/5
Character Development 4/5
Overall Enjoyability 5/5
novelvisits's review against another edition
2.0
New People by Zanzy Senna
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Release Date: August 1, 2017
Length: 240 pages
Original Source: http://www.novelvisits.com/three-end-summer-mini-reviews/
Publisher’s Final Sentence – Heartbreaking and darkly comic, New People is a bold and unfettered page-turner that challenges our every assumption about how we define one another, and ourselves.
My Thoughts – I don’t typically need to like a character in order to like her story, but in New People 27-year old Maria became an exception that. Rarely have I had such a strong negative reaction to a character. I thought Maria was a woman who had a lot going for her. She was a Stanford grad in her 6th year of a Phd. program at Columbia. She had an extremely supportive fiancé with whom she was selected to be part of a documentary on “new people,” those blurring the racial lines. But Maria wasn’t really satisfied with her life. At times she felt like perhaps she and Khalil weren’t quite black enough, their sex life wasn’t all it could be, her dissertation seemed to be stalled, and she found herself lusting after an attractive young poet, who happened to be a much darker skinned man than Khalil. None of that made me dislike Maria, but the way she handled herself did. To me Maria showed a pattern of believing that her feelings and opinions were all that mattered, often manifesting themselves in ways that were just plain mean-spirited or weird. I like snark, but Maria took it too far.
“Maria smirks at the poet, wondering if he too can see how forced it all is – this group and the pantomime of their newly discovered blackness. It’s catching. The craze. We once were lost, but now we’re black. It’s so old-school it’s new-school. They have taken on their duties as Negros with aplomb, she’s gotta give them that.”
Maria faced many crossroads in New People, and for most I had a hard time understanding the choices she made. It wasn’t until the very end of her story that I began to feel enough sympathy to like her just a little. Grade: C+
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Release Date: August 1, 2017
Length: 240 pages
Original Source: http://www.novelvisits.com/three-end-summer-mini-reviews/
Publisher’s Final Sentence – Heartbreaking and darkly comic, New People is a bold and unfettered page-turner that challenges our every assumption about how we define one another, and ourselves.
My Thoughts – I don’t typically need to like a character in order to like her story, but in New People 27-year old Maria became an exception that. Rarely have I had such a strong negative reaction to a character. I thought Maria was a woman who had a lot going for her. She was a Stanford grad in her 6th year of a Phd. program at Columbia. She had an extremely supportive fiancé with whom she was selected to be part of a documentary on “new people,” those blurring the racial lines. But Maria wasn’t really satisfied with her life. At times she felt like perhaps she and Khalil weren’t quite black enough, their sex life wasn’t all it could be, her dissertation seemed to be stalled, and she found herself lusting after an attractive young poet, who happened to be a much darker skinned man than Khalil. None of that made me dislike Maria, but the way she handled herself did. To me Maria showed a pattern of believing that her feelings and opinions were all that mattered, often manifesting themselves in ways that were just plain mean-spirited or weird. I like snark, but Maria took it too far.
“Maria smirks at the poet, wondering if he too can see how forced it all is – this group and the pantomime of their newly discovered blackness. It’s catching. The craze. We once were lost, but now we’re black. It’s so old-school it’s new-school. They have taken on their duties as Negros with aplomb, she’s gotta give them that.”
Maria faced many crossroads in New People, and for most I had a hard time understanding the choices she made. It wasn’t until the very end of her story that I began to feel enough sympathy to like her just a little. Grade: C+
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
makealongstorycourt's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
I have to think about this one and the ending in particular. Like, I mean look up wtf the ending was. Maybe I’m missing something, but what?
The writing style is fantastic. Truly, I’ll read anything by Danzy Senna because I know that the reading experience will be enjoyable. I know her writing will keep me engaged because she has superb pacing and tempo and a talent for melodic paragraph writing. The transitions between sentences and paragraphs were flawless.
But the plot was just vibes for sure. Maria was definitely a dynamic character with questionable morals - which I love. A character that I’m not sure I should get behind or not is a draw for me. But overall I’m confused by the entire ending/wrap-up. I feel like it’s definitely something symbolic that went WAY over my head. To Reddit I go.
The writing style is fantastic. Truly, I’ll read anything by Danzy Senna because I know that the reading experience will be enjoyable. I know her writing will keep me engaged because she has superb pacing and tempo and a talent for melodic paragraph writing. The transitions between sentences and paragraphs were flawless.
But the plot was just vibes for sure. Maria was definitely a dynamic character with questionable morals - which I love. A character that I’m not sure I should get behind or not is a draw for me. But overall I’m confused by the entire ending/wrap-up. I feel like it’s definitely something symbolic that went WAY over my head. To Reddit I go.
hansonkarly's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is so stressful. My first time reading Senna and I definitely want to read more.
luvandkiwi's review against another edition
4.0
Listen... the writing was beautiful. It’s engaging, it’s wonderful. The story itself...this character, well she’s where my discomfort sits. I both hated and appreciated Danzy’s choices in writing her. That’s all I’ll say. I read the last page and wanted to chuck the book but then I giggled maniacally that she wrote a story so compelling it sparked such a reaction. More Danzy stories please!
readingindreams's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
lisa_spencer's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
courtneycanread's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book left me with more questions than answers in a good way… I think? The main character is totally unlikable and the way the author weaves such a feeling of dread throughout is unlike anything else I’ve ever read. Some of the book felt too smart and over my head but I still thoroughly enjoyed every agonizing moment of it. I think the end scene will haunt me for awhile.