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thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Algonquin Books for sending me an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Claude McKay Love has grown up in the South Side of Chicago, where he was abandoned by his parents at a young age and instead raised by his tough-loving, activist grandmother. Although Claude craves something so simple and mundane--a place where he belongs--his neighborhood is Chicago is consumed by violence, drugs, gangs, suicide, riots, and police. Desperate to escape is hometown, Claude enrolls in a college in Missouri. However, even in a new town in a different state, Claude still faces severe injustices as he comes to terms with what it means to be a black man in America.
Everywhere You Don't Belong is a simply-written story with themes and characters that are anything but simple. The writing style was definitely a refreshing break from what I usually read--it's a bit choppy and repetitive, yet works well to convey the confusion, anger, and isolation that Claude is feeling. I appreciated the wholeness of the characters, where everyone had their likable and unlikable traits. Claude especially is an interesting main character. His pain, his heartbreak, his loneliness, are all evident throughout the book, yet with his frustration and mistreatment comes hope and determination. Although I did find the beginning of the novel to be a bit messy and confusing, I thought everything came together well at the end. This certainly isn't the type of book that finishes up neatly with a happy helping of hope and resolution, but it will leave you reflecting on Claude's experiences and the racist reality that is America.
I would recommend Everywhere You Don't Belong by Gabriel Bump to anyone who enjoys coming-of-age novels that explore love, race, identity, family, and friendship.
Claude McKay Love has grown up in the South Side of Chicago, where he was abandoned by his parents at a young age and instead raised by his tough-loving, activist grandmother. Although Claude craves something so simple and mundane--a place where he belongs--his neighborhood is Chicago is consumed by violence, drugs, gangs, suicide, riots, and police. Desperate to escape is hometown, Claude enrolls in a college in Missouri. However, even in a new town in a different state, Claude still faces severe injustices as he comes to terms with what it means to be a black man in America.
Everywhere You Don't Belong is a simply-written story with themes and characters that are anything but simple. The writing style was definitely a refreshing break from what I usually read--it's a bit choppy and repetitive, yet works well to convey the confusion, anger, and isolation that Claude is feeling. I appreciated the wholeness of the characters, where everyone had their likable and unlikable traits. Claude especially is an interesting main character. His pain, his heartbreak, his loneliness, are all evident throughout the book, yet with his frustration and mistreatment comes hope and determination. Although I did find the beginning of the novel to be a bit messy and confusing, I thought everything came together well at the end. This certainly isn't the type of book that finishes up neatly with a happy helping of hope and resolution, but it will leave you reflecting on Claude's experiences and the racist reality that is America.
I would recommend Everywhere You Don't Belong by Gabriel Bump to anyone who enjoys coming-of-age novels that explore love, race, identity, family, and friendship.
humito's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
nickscoby's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good and a most excellent debut novel. Reminiscent of The White Boy Shuffle (and I don't make that comparison lightly). The writing does take getting used to but I like that the author takes creative risks.
lilcoppertop's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
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
3.0
percy_roy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
ceralin03's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mgwalsho's review against another edition
5.0
This book wan very unique. It was a continuous story, but also somehow vignettes? Incredibly compelling, fast paced, complicated but also simple. A story about a boy growing up, but also about major social issues such as gang violence, police brutality, and racism. It’s not a simple book - I might have to read it twice to take it all in, but it is immediately eye catching and fascinating to the brain. I really really enjoyed this book, and I didn’t entirely expect to! Read in one day - finished in 2 ish hours.
chasrotramel2024's review against another edition
4.0
Funny book with a biting edge that touches on themes of racial justice and inequality. I enjoyed it immensely.
annagrace357's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25
practicallymagic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25