Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Sellout

I am halfway through the year and feel confident that this will be my best book of the year. Beatty is funny as hell, although he is very raunchy. This was my train read for the past few weeks and at points I definitely felt self conscious about what I was reading around others. The main character was very enlightening and the entire book is a reflection of the black experience, especially around the entertainment industry. As a young white woman it helped me look into the media I consume and how it portrays black people. I appreciated the author's note in the back about the graduate manuscript that helped him develop the book, and hope to read that soon as well. I don't want to spoil anything, but seriously. I love this book.

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originalmelodie's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A very odd read indeed. So much to unpack and not sure who in my life I could comfortably recommend this book though it is a fascinating satire just very complicating and harsh.

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linzomatic's review against another edition

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challenging funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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paperknotbooks's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective tense 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

4.0

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peachani's review against another edition

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challenging sad

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The Sellout also uses satire as a tool to explore racial issues. The plot centres on a Supreme Court case involving a Black man reintroducing segregation and slavery. It’s full of sharp witty one liners, many of which will have you laughing. But only because it is better than crying. And because Beatty is so skilled at parody and hilarious mockery. really enjoyed the message but tired of the relentlessness of style by the end.

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chloeml's review against another edition

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dark funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book had me laughing throughout, a biting satire on race in America, that will probably make you very very uncomfortable, worth the read.

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dreabang's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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