goodjobjarrad 's review for:

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

4.25

funny reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I was pleasantly surprised with this read. To recap, the story follows Carney, a college-educated family man who owns a furniture store in 1960s Harlem. His father was a stone-cold criminal, which aligns with his family history, as he also has a cousin, Freddy, who consistently gets Carney intertwined with his schemes. As a result, Carney is forced to reckon with his ideal of living a straight and narrow path versus his father/cousin's life. As for me, Colson Whitehead has redeemed himself from his Underground Railroad debacle. Incredible for historical fiction. I'd also recommend the audiobooks, which Dion Graham narrates, as he does an incredible job capturing the 40s, 50s, and 60s vibe.