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thisfoxreads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I kept hearing that this was amazing and had to wait awhile for my turn listening to the audiobook from my library. I love the diversity and the characters. I won't say it was an amazing read, but definitely an enjoyable one. Glad I read it!
jvddorpe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
just_jack's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely understand why this was Barnes and Noble's book of the year, and I totally get why people think it's such a triumph. I think it wonderfully captures the intersectionality of Jewish and African American culture and life during the 1920s in Pennsylvania, and that's not something that I feel like is super prevalent in American culture.
Unfortunately, there were some stylistic choices made that really impacted my engagement and involvement with this story. I understand why McBride chose to utilize such a wide range of characters, but sometimes I would be 75% of the way through a chapter and then learn how this character came into and impacted the story, which is fine, but I would often wish that I knew that in the beginning because then it adds importance/emphasis on what they're saying and doing throughout the chapter.
This stylistic choice also made the story feel a bit jumbled and discordant. It was a bit hard to follow because I would feel like I knew what was going on, and then I'd get another random POV that minorly impacts the story. I don't know, I understand that this helps see the town as a whole and understand the interconnectedness of the community and its people, but I don't think its worth showing that at the expense of my enjoyment of the book.
I totally understand why this book is highly regarded, but the stylistic choices really just kind of messed with my overall enjoyment and engagement with the story and its characters., but I also understand and respect that choice and the positive impact it has and how it was used as a method of storytelling.
Unfortunately, there were some stylistic choices made that really impacted my engagement and involvement with this story. I understand why McBride chose to utilize such a wide range of characters, but sometimes I would be 75% of the way through a chapter and then learn how this character came into and impacted the story, which is fine, but I would often wish that I knew that in the beginning because then it adds importance/emphasis on what they're saying and doing throughout the chapter.
This stylistic choice also made the story feel a bit jumbled and discordant. It was a bit hard to follow because I would feel like I knew what was going on, and then I'd get another random POV that minorly impacts the story. I don't know, I understand that this helps see the town as a whole and understand the interconnectedness of the community and its people, but I don't think its worth showing that at the expense of my enjoyment of the book.
I totally understand why this book is highly regarded, but the stylistic choices really just kind of messed with my overall enjoyment and engagement with the story and its characters., but I also understand and respect that choice and the positive impact it has and how it was used as a method of storytelling.
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I really appreciate James McBride's writing, and I fully enjoyed his skill while reading this. However, I feel similarly to how I felt reading Deacon King Kong--I could love this, but something about the writing style doesn't quite capture me. I enjoyed these characters and the idea of this Black, Jewish, immigrant community, but I just didn't love it.
dannybco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.75
enabean27's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mwwoodmansee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
veronicajohns's review against another edition
Excessively long sentences made it hard to follow and appreciate the story. Slow moving.
blissfulbrii's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Overall I liked the concept James McBride had with the cultural diversity of the community neighborhood “Chicken Hill” in Pottstown, PA and the representation of some of early America’s and still to this day misrepresented groups. Although this did feel like a book where you really would have to concentrate to finish.
I was moreso interested in the story developed about the deaf boy "Dodo” and “Monkey Pants” and some of the other characters but it did feel like a conglomerate of information and a lot of stories being told that I’m not sure had much of a rhyme or reason (apparent to the reader).
Not much character development, which I was expecting possibly more from the Doc character and really the only character who seemed to have the most empathy and emotional development was Chona. I’d give it a stab though if you can keep up and get past the old predated language and racial slurs on the early 1900s and consistent hard N-words being dropped.
I was moreso interested in the story developed about the deaf boy "Dodo” and “Monkey Pants” and some of the other characters but it did feel like a conglomerate of information and a lot of stories being told that I’m not sure had much of a rhyme or reason (apparent to the reader).
Not much character development, which I was expecting possibly more from the Doc character and really the only character who seemed to have the most empathy and emotional development was Chona. I’d give it a stab though if you can keep up and get past the old predated language and racial slurs on the early 1900s and consistent hard N-words being dropped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Antisemitism
christy4's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Antisemitism