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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
HOLY SHIT FUCK BALLLSSSSSSSS THAT WAS SO AMAZINGGGG THAT IT MAKES THE MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT WE SUFFERED ON OUR WAY BACK FROM BOOK CLUB OKAY
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I'm not smart enough to pen some grand defence of this against its detractors (nor does this book in any way need my help in securing its legacy) but some of the naysayers have really left me scratching my head.
The idea that the writing here is without a distinct authorial voice is, in my view, pretty silly, because the voice is in how stripped back it is. The plotting is quick and extremely sharp, matched together with the plain and direct language. Everything is straight to the point in a way that makes them seem uneventful. This is the idea. Banality of evil gets thrown around a lot, and this isn't quite that, but its similar. This book tackles the expectation of evil.
A lesser writer would have bogged down the storytelling with the (undoubtedly emotionally powerful) trial leading to Elwood's imprisonment. Its key to this book's view that we don't. Its not nessecary, its a forgone conclusion. Its expected.
The twist is so surprising, only because its not the kind of novel you expect to pull the rug out from under you, (its so direct after all) but in retrospect it's obvious in the personalities of our two perspectives. I love the dual purposes of this, that the book positions us as complicit in the societal refusal to acknowledge these boys as human beings distinct from one another, while showcasing the burden that generations of racism has placed on every member of the group. The scars don't just heal over, they're passed from friends to family to children for generations. Just because you survived, doesn't mean you weren't damaged.
It ends on an incredibly somber and touching note. I welled up when he talked about living on, not just "in" the memory of his friend, but "for" him.
I saw someone on reddit call this the book equivalent of oscar-bait a few years back. In a sense they're right, but I would be thrilled to find myself in front of a film that tackles these issues in such a direct and straightforward manner while remaining so humane and emotionally charged. The balancing act going on here is a lot harder than it looks.
The idea that the writing here is without a distinct authorial voice is, in my view, pretty silly, because the voice is in how stripped back it is. The plotting is quick and extremely sharp, matched together with the plain and direct language. Everything is straight to the point in a way that makes them seem uneventful. This is the idea. Banality of evil gets thrown around a lot, and this isn't quite that, but its similar. This book tackles the expectation of evil.
A lesser writer would have bogged down the storytelling with the (undoubtedly emotionally powerful) trial leading to Elwood's imprisonment. Its key to this book's view that we don't. Its not nessecary, its a forgone conclusion. Its expected.
The twist is so surprising, only because its not the kind of novel you expect to pull the rug out from under you, (its so direct after all) but in retrospect it's obvious in the personalities of our two perspectives. I love the dual purposes of this, that the book positions us as complicit in the societal refusal to acknowledge these boys as human beings distinct from one another, while showcasing the burden that generations of racism has placed on every member of the group. The scars don't just heal over, they're passed from friends to family to children for generations. Just because you survived, doesn't mean you weren't damaged.
It ends on an incredibly somber and touching note. I welled up when he talked about living on, not just "in" the memory of his friend, but "for" him.
I saw someone on reddit call this the book equivalent of oscar-bait a few years back. In a sense they're right, but I would be thrilled to find myself in front of a film that tackles these issues in such a direct and straightforward manner while remaining so humane and emotionally charged. The balancing act going on here is a lot harder than it looks.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Fantastic. This is a story that speaks to us all, and is written with skill and enough grace to keep the pages turning. Highly recommended.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
So incredible and haunting. Constantly reminded of Whitehead’s mastery of language - he’s something entirely new and profound. Simple sentences (in addition to the story itself) will always stick with me.
A book worth reading, thinking about, and researching. I would use this in my classroom and as a starting point for a research project. I struggled with the jarring transitions and ending, but I think my students would respond to this book as much as The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.