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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a disappointment after Underground Railroad and Nickel Boys.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Yes
reflective
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
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was pleasantly surprised with this read. To recap, the story follows Carney, a college-educated family man who owns a furniture store in 1960s Harlem. His father was a stone-cold criminal, which aligns with his family history, as he also has a cousin, Freddy, who consistently gets Carney intertwined with his schemes. As a result, Carney is forced to reckon with his ideal of living a straight and narrow path versus his father/cousin's life. As for me, Colson Whitehead has redeemed himself from his Underground Railroad debacle. Incredible for historical fiction. I'd also recommend the audiobooks, which Dion Graham narrates, as he does an incredible job capturing the 40s, 50s, and 60s vibe.
When it comes to Colson Whitehead, I am biased because I think he’s incredible. One of the greatest writers alive today. He could write an instruction manual and I’d read it. So while I’m not a huge fan of crime novels (murder mysteries, yes, crime, not so much), I couldn’t wait to dig in.
This one took me a bit. I don’t think it was the fault of the book but the time at which I chose to read it. It was the most stressful and busy time of the semester so I was very distracted. As a result, I don’t think I got as much out of this as I should. The parts I remember I enjoyed. But I couldn’t give much of a summary. Crimes, heists, a furniture salesman who’s crooked, his cousin who keeps bringing him in on jobs, some stolen jewelry, setting up a scandal of a political bigwig. That’s what I remember. I also know it takes place in Harlem during some protests turned riots after a police shooting of an unarmed black kid in the 1960s (sound familiar?). I’ll definitely have to reread this to get more of Whitehead’s biting satire and social commentary. That’s really where he shines the brightest for me.
Nevertheless, the writing was still pitch perfect. I wish I had written some of good quotes down so I could share them here to admire later.
This one took me a bit. I don’t think it was the fault of the book but the time at which I chose to read it. It was the most stressful and busy time of the semester so I was very distracted. As a result, I don’t think I got as much out of this as I should. The parts I remember I enjoyed. But I couldn’t give much of a summary. Crimes, heists, a furniture salesman who’s crooked, his cousin who keeps bringing him in on jobs, some stolen jewelry, setting up a scandal of a political bigwig. That’s what I remember. I also know it takes place in Harlem during some protests turned riots after a police shooting of an unarmed black kid in the 1960s (sound familiar?). I’ll definitely have to reread this to get more of Whitehead’s biting satire and social commentary. That’s really where he shines the brightest for me.
Nevertheless, the writing was still pitch perfect. I wish I had written some of good quotes down so I could share them here to admire later.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-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