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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-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
An entertaining read with interesting characters. Each of his books are just so different.
Light fare for Whitehead: crime novel centered around a likable fellow who owns a furniture store in Harlem in the 50s/60s. Over time though, the true profits of his business are less from well-made couches and more from well-fenced "accessories". Some commentary on "who are the real criminals?" as Whitehead compares the activities of his protagonist to those of the "established" wealthy business class of NYC.
Really confused by reviews of this book calling it sparse on plot and action?? Makes me think they didn’t read past part 1. It’s a slow burn, but it packs a punch. It’s a well-written, intricate character study of Harlem and its “crooked” players (Pepper is definitely my favourite!) There are heists, shoot-outs, backstabbings, enduring loyalties, back door deals, and as one can expect from Whitehead, the story contains a lot of historical commentary on the riots, racist police killings and institutional corruption going on at the time. It’s packed with action. Sure it might take a little longer to read, but if you pay attention and savour the details it’s a very satisfying story. I liked it a lot screw the haters!!
LOVED this tale of retro-Harlem. Well plotted and elegantly written. Crooked…
I have not rated this book yet because I do not know exactly how I feel about it. I wanted to like it because, well, you know, it’s Colson Whitehead! But I just couldn’t get into the story itself. It took me a while to finish it. I felt like it was a reading assignment and I had to finish it because, well, again, it’s Colson Whitehead!
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Colson Whitehead is probably one of the most talented writers of my generation. And I've really enjoyed several of his other books ("The Underground Railroad," "The Nickel Boys," "Zone One," and "The Intuitionist"). After hearing a few long-form interviews with the author on both this book and the recent sequel, I was really excited to pick up "Harlem Shuffle."
Yet, I just can't get into the book. I can only assume this is to do with my ever-encroaching need for bifocals or other daily distractions.
Try as I might, I could not make it very far into my print version. So, after about 4 attempts, switched to the audiobook version on Libby. Despite an excellent narrator (Dion Graham), I found myself just as bored as when reading the print book. So, after about getting through 1/3 of the story, I decided to suspend both avenues of approach.
Yet, I just can't get into the book. I can only assume this is to do with my ever-encroaching need for bifocals or other daily distractions.
Try as I might, I could not make it very far into my print version. So, after about 4 attempts, switched to the audiobook version on Libby. Despite an excellent narrator (Dion Graham), I found myself just as bored as when reading the print book. So, after about getting through 1/3 of the story, I decided to suspend both avenues of approach.
Harlem Shuffle is a book about getting ahead (legally or not), corruption, racism, stand over men, drugs, crime, family and pretence.
Carney should have ditched his cousin years ago.
Carney should have ditched his cousin years ago.
This was fine. I liked the overall concept. The timing felt a little all over the place often going from present to pat to future in one paragraph. Ending felt kind of anticlimactic.