Scan barcode
johngreely's review against another edition
3.5
I like Colson Whitehead a lot, and this was perfectly enjoyable. But to be honest the story didn't do a lot for me. The world is nice as always, and I breezed through the book, but left a little to be desired overall.
thatbookishwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
3.5
aea023's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This one was a slog to get through. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't feel the desire to read it non stop.
I do think that this book definitely explores the intricacies of what happens when there are systemic failures in society. High poverty leading to high crime. Lack of infrastructure to support growth. Lack of social programs to support neighborhoods. And the corruption that comes from unchecked power. Which all describes the 1970s in New York to a T.
Overall rating 3.5
I do think that this book definitely explores the intricacies of what happens when there are systemic failures in society. High poverty leading to high crime. Lack of infrastructure to support growth. Lack of social programs to support neighborhoods. And the corruption that comes from unchecked power. Which all describes the 1970s in New York to a T.
Overall rating 3.5
parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, and Alcohol
Minor: Racial slurs, Classism, Racism, and Police brutality
katpeaspanen's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lbjessome's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first 2/3 of the book were engaging and interesting but the final 1/3 really lagged for me. The outcome of that particular plot was obvious so it felt like a bit of a slog to get there. I also did not buy Carney’s motivations for getting mixed up in the final conflict. Harlem Shuffle is definitely the superior instalment in this series.
zmarshall839's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zandrsn's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
4.25
katemc's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.75
Colson Whitehead’s just one of the best in the game isn’t he. I listened to a podcast on Harlem Shuffle and this trilogy is sort of a pet project for him, and you can tell! He loves these characters, he loves cooking up schemes for them, he loves the historical research he’s done to recreate midcentury New York City. You can tell he just loves it.
The writing is so SO good. My favorite kind of prose - whip smart, precise, wryly funny. He often tells instead of showing, but in the best way - because he can tell it so well and so vividly. His narration is a joy. His dialogue is lived in and real, a true extension of the characters themselves. I love being able to kinda turn my brain off to critique when an author is accomplishing what they set out to do so satisfactorily and almost invisibly.
I just love this trilogy, can’t wait for the next one!
The writing is so SO good. My favorite kind of prose - whip smart, precise, wryly funny. He often tells instead of showing, but in the best way - because he can tell it so well and so vividly. His narration is a joy. His dialogue is lived in and real, a true extension of the characters themselves. I love being able to kinda turn my brain off to critique when an author is accomplishing what they set out to do so satisfactorily and almost invisibly.
I just love this trilogy, can’t wait for the next one!