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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Loved the narrative structure (an omniscient collective neighbor!) but I found that some nuance was lost in the characters.
So many complex emotions after finishing this, most of all anger and sadness. A powerful, impactful read that will linger afterwards and leave the reader with a painful view of the inequity in our society.
Heartbreaking “domestic thriller”/commentary on American culture. I loved it but the ending is gut wrenching.
up until about 75% mark of this book I thought i was gonna give this 5 stars... so yeah not a fan of the back quarter of this book.
WOW! NC author does an excellent job exploring the complexities of race and class in the contemporary South.
I suppose it might have similar critics as American Dirt but I felt Fowler did a reasonable job depicting her AA characters.
I suppose it might have similar critics as American Dirt but I felt Fowler did a reasonable job depicting her AA characters.
4.5 stars
I hope that one day this book will be mistaken for “historical fiction” that is, because the events and mentalities and dogma in the book are so far from what is happening in society that calling it “contemporary” would be wrong. For now, poignant and a must read.
0.5 stars lost for the weird narration at times.
I hope that one day this book will be mistaken for “historical fiction” that is, because the events and mentalities and dogma in the book are so far from what is happening in society that calling it “contemporary” would be wrong. For now, poignant and a must read.
0.5 stars lost for the weird narration at times.
Summary: In present day North Carolina, an older suburb is getting a makeover. Smaller, less desirable homes are razed along with mature trees to make way for multi-bath homes with sparkling swimming pools. One resident of the older homes in the neighborhood, Professor Valerie Alston-Holt watches the destruction with fear for the ancient oak tree in her own yard. The venerable oak’s root system extended far beyond the boundaries of her property. The tree also held emotional significance for Valerie. She decides to take an action to save her tree that eventually has heart wrenching consequences.
Across her back fence, the recently completed extravagant home belongs to one Brad Whitman, owner of Whitman HVAC. Whitman is a larger than life successful businessman whose TV ads exude charisma. His wife and two daughters live in his generous shadow. The oldest, Juniper, was encouraged to take a purity pledge at puberty by Whitman, her stepfather. Now almost eighteen years old, she faces a challenge to that vow.
The challenge comes in the form of the young man who lives behind her house. His name is Xavier Alston-Holt. Xavier is a very studious young man who is working hard toward his chosen career in classical guitar. He also has sworn off relationships, but that is his own choice–he knows he must work hard to reach his goals.
The two young people are both focused on their goals and seem ideal for each other except for one tiny problem — Juniper is white and Xavier is black. Biracial, actually, as his mother is black and his deceased father was white. But in present day North Carolina, this might as well be a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon. When Brad Whitman gets wind of Xavier’s attraction to Juniper, his own lewd thoughts go into overdrive and he takes drastic action to “save” his daughter and get revenge on his neighbor with the stupid oak tree.
Comments: I hope this book shoots to the top of the best seller lists and gets in the hands of many book clubs for some deep discussion. A Good Neighborhood pokes a very timely sharp stick into bigotry and white male privilege. It shines a light on the appalling black male experience in current day America. The ending made me want to cry even as I knew it’s inevitability.
Although written by a white author, A Good Neighborhood shows a deep sensitivity for her black characters. Theresa Anne Fowler obviously did extensive research and reached out for guidance.
This book made me consider the current kerfuffle about American Dirt (which I admit I haven’t yet read) and the pitfalls of identity politics. The axiom “write what you know” is taken to extremes these days, enforcing racial barriers. Literature isn’t always safe, for the writer or the reader. Taking risks — writing or reading about other races and cultures — can mean crossing bridges, acknowleging differences and possibly changing your own views, which is dangerous business in our deeply polarized political climate.
Very Highly Recommended for readers of General Fiction and Literary Fiction.
Across her back fence, the recently completed extravagant home belongs to one Brad Whitman, owner of Whitman HVAC. Whitman is a larger than life successful businessman whose TV ads exude charisma. His wife and two daughters live in his generous shadow. The oldest, Juniper, was encouraged to take a purity pledge at puberty by Whitman, her stepfather. Now almost eighteen years old, she faces a challenge to that vow.
The challenge comes in the form of the young man who lives behind her house. His name is Xavier Alston-Holt. Xavier is a very studious young man who is working hard toward his chosen career in classical guitar. He also has sworn off relationships, but that is his own choice–he knows he must work hard to reach his goals.
The two young people are both focused on their goals and seem ideal for each other except for one tiny problem — Juniper is white and Xavier is black. Biracial, actually, as his mother is black and his deceased father was white. But in present day North Carolina, this might as well be a gap as wide as the Grand Canyon. When Brad Whitman gets wind of Xavier’s attraction to Juniper, his own lewd thoughts go into overdrive and he takes drastic action to “save” his daughter and get revenge on his neighbor with the stupid oak tree.
Comments: I hope this book shoots to the top of the best seller lists and gets in the hands of many book clubs for some deep discussion. A Good Neighborhood pokes a very timely sharp stick into bigotry and white male privilege. It shines a light on the appalling black male experience in current day America. The ending made me want to cry even as I knew it’s inevitability.
Although written by a white author, A Good Neighborhood shows a deep sensitivity for her black characters. Theresa Anne Fowler obviously did extensive research and reached out for guidance.
This book made me consider the current kerfuffle about American Dirt (which I admit I haven’t yet read) and the pitfalls of identity politics. The axiom “write what you know” is taken to extremes these days, enforcing racial barriers. Literature isn’t always safe, for the writer or the reader. Taking risks — writing or reading about other races and cultures — can mean crossing bridges, acknowleging differences and possibly changing your own views, which is dangerous business in our deeply polarized political climate.
Very Highly Recommended for readers of General Fiction and Literary Fiction.
100%/finished update: Holyyyyy moly. This might be the worst book I've ever read. Another reviewer called this book "trauma porn of the black experience." So much of it felt inauthentic, from the harmless issues like calling bullying teenagers in 2019 "Kathy" and "Megan" or referencing a similarly aged teen's childhood affinity for Beanie Babies. It's poorly written (the author believes in telling us about characters and settings explicitly rather than showing) and has the grabbag feel of someone playing Mad Libs while watching MSNBC. There isn't a better argument for the "Own Voices" movement than this book - so much of the story rests on the needless and excessive pain of black people, and ultimately, for what? So a young white girl pursues a career in social justice? Such a gross exploitative story clearly told by a white woman, who tells on herself in the scene where one black character explains racism to another black character. (What.) And as I mentioned earlier, there's a weird perverse pedophilia storyline alongside the black trauma that serves as a means to excuse the behavior of some of the white characters. Just gross.
77% completed review (more to come): I don't see it mentioned anywhere, but holy hell. PEDOPHILIA trigger warning. I didn't see any mention of it in the reviews and had I known, I would not have started reading this book in the first place. This book is pretty terrible for a lot of reasons (I don't really believe in DNFing so I'm on the struggle bus on this one) that I'll revisit once I'm done, but good lord was the pedophilia/incest angle an unwelcome surprise.
77% completed review (more to come): I don't see it mentioned anywhere, but holy hell. PEDOPHILIA trigger warning. I didn't see any mention of it in the reviews and had I known, I would not have started reading this book in the first place. This book is pretty terrible for a lot of reasons (I don't really believe in DNFing so I'm on the struggle bus on this one) that I'll revisit once I'm done, but good lord was the pedophilia/incest angle an unwelcome surprise.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes