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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
dark
funny
medium-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
How we view the world depends on where we sit and our privilege or lack thereof within it. This is a layered story, tightly constructed, that is bitingly funny at times and told from multiple perspectives with the central character (to my mind anyway) being Lenny. What you think you know is not what you know, depending on who is talking. This book challenges us to think about how we look at race, privilege, wealth, gender, wokeness and the ways we compromise our espoused values and the truth in the service of capitalism and Empire. No one is spared! This is also a book that I think would benefit from a one-sitting read in order to truly sink into the unity of effect and also feels like it is in conversation with Rumaan Alam's writing. The multiple perspectives gave the book a peeling the onion effect, loved that. Natasha Brown is such a good and concise writer. The cover is so good too! One issue I have with this book is that one character happens to be a cyclist and it felt like that aspect of the person was used to show their false earnestness or something. People choose active transpo for a lot of reasons, not all of them are because of righteousness, and there is a lack of normalization of cycling in a lot of places in addition to the general lack of infrastructure for active transportation. Maybe I misunderstood the writer's intent with this, but it didn't sit well with me. I hope to read this book again as it merits a second read!
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
This was a super smart book, and I loved the way she investigates all the intersections (race, gender, wealth, etc). It is critical of everyone and doesn’t let anyone off the hook. I also loved that she complicates the story with each new section. I think Brown is super successful in doing what she sets out to do, but as a personal preference, I don’t always love satire and this was so satirical. I think if you want a very readable and sharp book, this could really be for you.
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A