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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
I really enjoyed this book. It starts off a bit slow, but I became quite invested in it, almost having to take a break to recover from frustration shared with the narrator.
The story is complicated and engaging, and tackles the difficult issues of race, community, politics, and Marxism quite well. Not for a lazy reader.
I listened to the audiobook performed by Joe Morton, who did a fabulous job.
The story is complicated and engaging, and tackles the difficult issues of race, community, politics, and Marxism quite well. Not for a lazy reader.
I listened to the audiobook performed by Joe Morton, who did a fabulous job.
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Gosh, this was such a hard book to read. There were incredible stories, some long and some short, but you need to battle through a lot of internal thought and seeing/people description to get to the plot points. I found it fascinating that the narrator was so even-keeled through the entire thing; it didn't matter if he was driving through the countryside or witnessing a murderer - the narrator was incredibly consistent.
The aspects of race and racism were fascinating as a white reader: I felt drawn into the story and had the opportunity to experience the narrator's unfair treatment, the profiling, the lies, and how people used him (for good or bad). The narrator seemed swept along in his own life without much say, while simultaneously doing everything he could to succeed. He fought hard for what he thought was right, even though he was never given complete information. By the end of the book, I was incredibly invested in the cm character's journey. I was also shocked by how relevant the final quarter (or so) of the book read to life in 2020. It's disappointing that we as Americans have progressed so little in terms of fighting racism since the book was published.
Highly recommended reading got anyone who loves great works of literature, for anyone studying race relations, sand for anyone who enjoys a unique narrative voice. It's hard to fight through, but it's worth it.
The aspects of race and racism were fascinating as a white reader: I felt drawn into the story and had the opportunity to experience the narrator's unfair treatment, the profiling, the lies, and how people used him (for good or bad). The narrator seemed swept along in his own life without much say, while simultaneously doing everything he could to succeed. He fought hard for what he thought was right, even though he was never given complete information. By the end of the book, I was incredibly invested in the cm character's journey. I was also shocked by how relevant the final quarter (or so) of the book read to life in 2020. It's disappointing that we as Americans have progressed so little in terms of fighting racism since the book was published.
Highly recommended reading got anyone who loves great works of literature, for anyone studying race relations, sand for anyone who enjoys a unique narrative voice. It's hard to fight through, but it's worth it.
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting commentary. It moves slowly and there were parts I had to re-read to really understand what was happening because of the writing style. There were parts I really enjoyed and felt the impact of while other parts fell a bit flat, but I think some of that comes from my own lack of historical knowledge/context around certain aspects of the book.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is an incredibly powerful piece of literature. It’s written almost like prose, and if you can allow yourself to be caught up enough in the story it carries you through it so that you experience more than read it. There are some very important principles taught within it and Ellison is excellent at putting you inside the mind of the protagonist. I really enjoyed it.
