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hmwoodward's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wish this book was longer because it goes so quickly and it is shorter in length. I think there was more that could have been written, but I'm thankful we did get some closure in the end. I really enjoyed seeing the world through Claude's eyes and loved all the character he introduces along the way. The topics are mostly dark and sad, but they are written with the casualness and sense of humor of someone who has experienced it firsthand. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Violence, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, Hate crime, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Abandonment, Police brutality, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racial slurs and Cursing
Minor: Car accident, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Kidnapping
saj04's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Police brutality
signediza's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
⚠️ Spoilers Ahead - (Sorry)
A coming of age story of Claude. A young Black man born on the South Side of Chicago who just wants a place where he can fit in while being raised by his civil rights-era grandmother, who tries to shape him into a principled actor for change after being abandoned by his parents. He leaves Chicago to go to school in Missouri, and also didn’t fit in right there.
THEMES/TRIGGER WARNINGS
Abandonment
Social Injustices
Racism
Violence/Riots
Police Brutality
Identity
Microaggression
UNPOPULAR OPINION
While I was sucked in from the beginning about Claude coping with abandonment and what life is like for a Black youth growing up and wanting a place to fit in, the writing style wasn't my favorite.
Some characters get introduced and disappear with little or no development for me. Some parts were confusing and disjointed. And the ending was an unfinished deal for me.
I didn't like Janice. I saw no
vulnerability from her when she got abandoned outright to her face by her mother, unlike Claude.
But I do love Claude's grandma and Paul. They got my attention at a 100%
Overall, the story was fierce with sheer originality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, Hate crime, and Gun violence
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