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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Ohmygosh. So super dark. And probably the most unique narrator ever. Highly recommend if you don't mind being sad, disturbed and slightly nauseous while reading:)
Haunting, graphic, engrossing story about the family, race, greed, poverty, and addiction. Stuck to my ribcage.
I loved this book - the language and descriptions were gorgeous, although the subject matter was dark. And how can you not love a book where crack is a main p.o.v.?
This book!!! Wow, so deeply disturbing to read I had to stop and steel myself to continue. But I'm glad I did. The characters and plot will stay with me, the writing was so well done. The destruction of drugs is so deep and widespread, the greed behind drug trafficking also on full display here. I read and enjoyed The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace (nonfiction) and this book, especially in Eddie, reminded me a bit of Robert. I was so fearful he was going to go down the same path as his mother that I felt sick as I read this. The ending of the book is believable and uplifting despite the many tragedies that foreshadow a much different end. I am glad I read this.
First off: as another review says, the opening scene is a good test of whether you'll want to read this book. A boy whose hands have just been amputated is driving, as best he can, down a dark country road, not sure if he's getting away from trouble or going deeper into it. Still here? Then you'll probably like this.
There's a lot in this book, and I won't rehash the plot summaries, but it'd be worth reading just for the narration by Mr. Crack Cocaine himself (friends call him Scotty). He sounds just like he should, like a wheedling pimp with a fine command of all the emotional knobs. That, and the contrast between that and Darlene's own voice when she finally speaks for herself. Delicious Foods isn't perfect. There is a wrong note or two. But that didn't keep it from being one of the best, if not the very best, book I've read so far this year.
There's a lot in this book, and I won't rehash the plot summaries, but it'd be worth reading just for the narration by Mr. Crack Cocaine himself (friends call him Scotty). He sounds just like he should, like a wheedling pimp with a fine command of all the emotional knobs. That, and the contrast between that and Darlene's own voice when she finally speaks for herself. Delicious Foods isn't perfect. There is a wrong note or two. But that didn't keep it from being one of the best, if not the very best, book I've read so far this year.
A very ambitious novel that I feel missed its target. In part it could have been my fault as I picked it up as light reading and was immediately confronted with mutilated bodies, modern day slavery, and extensive drug addictions. Perhaps I was just not in the right frame of mind.
At the same time I felt that literary devices simply did not work, giving Crack a narrative voice was a choice I felt fell flat. That it also switched between the mother/son perspective made the work a little about everything but not really about anything. I wish the author would have simply told the story from Darlene's perspective, which not only provided the most interesting narrative sections but could have allowed her to become a sympathetic character without being reminded all the time about how shittily she treated her son. I would have had Eddie die in the fire along with Nat and proceeded from there.
At the same time I felt that literary devices simply did not work, giving Crack a narrative voice was a choice I felt fell flat. That it also switched between the mother/son perspective made the work a little about everything but not really about anything. I wish the author would have simply told the story from Darlene's perspective, which not only provided the most interesting narrative sections but could have allowed her to become a sympathetic character without being reminded all the time about how shittily she treated her son. I would have had Eddie die in the fire along with Nat and proceeded from there.
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a wonderful book (that is really dark and deals with addiction and slavery) but ends on a good and hopeful note
WOW. Get this book on Audio!!! James Hannaham does a fantastic job narrating the story. I love that Scotty aka Crack Cocaine was a character. It slowed down for me slightly when they ended up at Delicious Foods. However, kept me engaged enough to want to find out what we know happened to Eddie in the beginning of the book. The book definitely deserves recognition.