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3rian 's review for:
Harlem Shuffle
by Colson Whitehead
I’m very late to checking out Colson Whitehead’s work and my understanding is that this might be an unusual spot to start, but hey, I had a great time!
The language is sly and charming. Seriously beautiful with some turns of phrase that had me grinning. The cast of characters is engaging, with a compellingly flawed lead skirting between two lives - a hardworking business owner and family man, and a crook dealing in trafficking stolen goods. And as I got pulled into this world and its heists, elaborate schemes, and family drama, I kept marveling to see how the author rendered 1950-1960s Harlem and New York City as a beautifully vivid presence throughout the book. Gorgeous, immediate, raw, real.
The book is divided into three acts; I thought each one would have worked as its own novella. It took me a while to click with its rhythm (not the book’s fault, more like real life kept getting in the way), but once I did… I was all in.
I was happy to learn that Whitehead is already working on a sequel. In the meantime, this book made me a fan and I’m excited to discover his other stories while I wait.
The language is sly and charming. Seriously beautiful with some turns of phrase that had me grinning. The cast of characters is engaging, with a compellingly flawed lead skirting between two lives - a hardworking business owner and family man, and a crook dealing in trafficking stolen goods. And as I got pulled into this world and its heists, elaborate schemes, and family drama, I kept marveling to see how the author rendered 1950-1960s Harlem and New York City as a beautifully vivid presence throughout the book. Gorgeous, immediate, raw, real.
The book is divided into three acts; I thought each one would have worked as its own novella. It took me a while to click with its rhythm (not the book’s fault, more like real life kept getting in the way), but once I did… I was all in.
I was happy to learn that Whitehead is already working on a sequel. In the meantime, this book made me a fan and I’m excited to discover his other stories while I wait.