Reviews

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

sriccardi's review

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3.0

Largely didn't click for me, but probably because I realized a third in this was a sequel lol. Will revisit when i read harlem shuffle!

johngreely's review against another edition

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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

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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

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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 

parenthesis_enjoyer's review against another edition

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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


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katpeaspanen's review against another edition

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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

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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

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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

jss's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

zandrsn's review

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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