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seeseamus's review
3.0
A fascinating subject, a fascinating setting, but a mediocre story. The book itself read more like a historical text; one that could've used tighter editing. Worth reading if you're interested in Harlem's community politics in the 1930s.
koreilly's review
3.0
More interesting as a historical peak at the lives of Harlem's movers and shakers before the outbreak of World War II then as a character driven novel, Amiable with Big Teeth is slow but enjoyable. It follows the intertwining of local Harlem politics with the international scenes of the days most notably the Soviet Union's Nation Front. Trotskyism and Stalinism and all kinds of Facism pop up but most of the characters have only a cursory interest in them and are more than perplexed as to why their efforts to help the people of Ethiopa should be so complicated by these isms.
The prose doesn't exactly sing but some scene do stand out more than others. Admittedly you might find yourself having to sludge through the back half with the stakes become kind of muddle and weirdly low. Still, if you're interested in life in pre-war Harlem for the African American elite this is a great portrait of that.
The prose doesn't exactly sing but some scene do stand out more than others. Admittedly you might find yourself having to sludge through the back half with the stakes become kind of muddle and weirdly low. Still, if you're interested in life in pre-war Harlem for the African American elite this is a great portrait of that.
samantha_shain's review
5.0
Although some parts of the book read as speeches strung together, I think it actually works as a compelling literary device in a novel that is set up to interrogate the stereotypes of single issue Stalinists. I would say this book is not a great recommendation for readers who are not already well versed (to some extent) in the events of the Russian revolution and Stalinism. However, for readers who are, this is a fascinating and well written novel! I will be thinking about the questions raised in the text for years to come. I’m really glad I found this book in a little free library and it was a great follow up (unplanned!) to the 945 pg tome I just finished on the USSR.
tinnersrabbit's review
reflective
slow-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? No
4.75
keight's review
4.0
The back story of how this novel came to be published is fascinating: originally written and edited in 1941, it was never published and was essentially lost in the archives until a graduate student at Columbia University found a copy of an essentially finished manuscript among the papers of another writer in 2009. The New York Times reported on this discovery and the process to authenticate the manuscript in 2012. Now finally the book has made it into print.
Amiable with Big Teeth captures a later point in Harlem’s Renaissance, at the time when Ethiopia was invaded by Italian fascists. It’s a satirical look at the political maneuverings of activist groups and differing perspectives of race and class relations, as people in Harlem organize in support of what was at the time the last independent country in Africa. Read more on my booklog
Amiable with Big Teeth captures a later point in Harlem’s Renaissance, at the time when Ethiopia was invaded by Italian fascists. It’s a satirical look at the political maneuverings of activist groups and differing perspectives of race and class relations, as people in Harlem organize in support of what was at the time the last independent country in Africa. Read more on my booklog
bwood95's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
adamcarrico91's review against another edition
3.0
This novel is super nerdy and very interesting. I knew absolutely nothing about the historical context of Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia and certainly didn’t know the response among Harlemites during that time. The plot can be a bit dry; it’s hard to stay fully engaged with the intricacies of organizational conflicts. I still loved the environment painted by McKay; he’s so good at bringing this specific corner of Harlem / NYC alive. It would be hard for any author to make this subject matter worth reading, but I kept wanting to know what would happen next. The ending may have been a bit melodramatic, but it was incredibly satisfying. It might not be my favorite book, but I’m glad people finally uncovered this novel.
breadandmushrooms's review
dark
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
3.75
roristutzman's review
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
a0ri's review
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A good book, but I think it is worthwhile to know something about the time-period/backdrop the book uses to truly appreciate the satire. I didn't have that, and the book by itself could do a better job of making that info accessible (seriously, just use footnotes instead of a reference index). My only other (minor) gripe is that sometimes the introductions for side characters were longer than necessary