Scan barcode
mjr313's review against another edition
funny
slow-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
2.5
I laughed about four or five times during the approximately 300 pages of this book but was otherwise underwhelmed by a “lead-pipe over the head” style of humor.
alexchad's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
beccafinney3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A really difficult read and hard to pick up every time but definitely worth it at the end
pjthom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-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
2.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
What an absolutely mad book!
Satire, yes. But if you're expecting Jonathan Swift, you'd best prepare yourself for something that can feel cruder and a lot more uncomfortable.
It's not easy to summarise what The Sellout is about... it starts near the end of the story, with a man on trial at the Supreme Court. For REINSTATING SLAVERY. Yes.
Then we are taken back to exactly what has brought this state of affairs to pass. And it's hilarious, definitely, in a dark way, with a lot of words that you wouldn't be happy reading aloud. It involves a star of old 'blackface' Hollywood, a crazy social-experimenting father, and a whole set of circumstances that make sense as you read them, but can't come together when you try to nail them still onto paper... I've tried!
I loved it, but it certainly isn't for everyone.
If you like to read books that are different, edgy, darkly funny, challenging (and now award winning), give this one a try. It's like nothing you'll have read before. As you probably guessed.
Quite a choice for a book group as well.
Satire, yes. But if you're expecting Jonathan Swift, you'd best prepare yourself for something that can feel cruder and a lot more uncomfortable.
It's not easy to summarise what The Sellout is about... it starts near the end of the story, with a man on trial at the Supreme Court. For REINSTATING SLAVERY. Yes.
Then we are taken back to exactly what has brought this state of affairs to pass. And it's hilarious, definitely, in a dark way, with a lot of words that you wouldn't be happy reading aloud. It involves a star of old 'blackface' Hollywood, a crazy social-experimenting father, and a whole set of circumstances that make sense as you read them, but can't come together when you try to nail them still onto paper... I've tried!
I loved it, but it certainly isn't for everyone.
If you like to read books that are different, edgy, darkly funny, challenging (and now award winning), give this one a try. It's like nothing you'll have read before. As you probably guessed.
Quite a choice for a book group as well.
mollyrmcdonough's review against another edition
4.0
This book gives a satirical assessment of post-racial America. It’s unlike any other book I’ve read. I think everyone should go into this book without expectations, so I will leave it at that.
Read this book.
Read this book.
miss_cheevious's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
wintrovia's review against another edition
4.0
Expertly written with vivid prose and acerbic wit. I admired this book more than I enjoyed it. Much of the story is uncomfortable to read, intentionally, making it hard to love. There's no questioning the author's skill but I found I didn't look forward to reading it. The provocative subject shouldn't be easy to read I suppose.
suvata's review against another edition
3.0
A nod to #BlackHistoryMonth
Satirical novel narrated by a man referred to by his childhood nickname "Bonbon" or his last name, "Me”. Me attempts to reintroduce segregation and keep a slave named Hominy in Dickens, his Los Angeles neighborhood. This attempt leads to a Supreme Court case, Me Vs. The United States of America. This book hits a lot of true (yet touchy) social, racial and political issues.
Satirical novel narrated by a man referred to by his childhood nickname "Bonbon" or his last name, "Me”. Me attempts to reintroduce segregation and keep a slave named Hominy in Dickens, his Los Angeles neighborhood. This attempt leads to a Supreme Court case, Me Vs. The United States of America. This book hits a lot of true (yet touchy) social, racial and political issues.