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A review by genthebookworm
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
3.0
{Thank you to Doubleday Books for my gifted copy and my chance to share my genuine review.}
I was eager to read The Harlem Shuffle after having reading his last two novels. While my reading experiences were vastly different, I really connected with The Underground Railroad but struggled with the writing style of The Nickel Boys so I was curious as to how this one would play out.
I like complex storylines that are drawn out over time, but I struggle with ending that seem to come out of nowhere. What I have found is that each of his books are totally unique from one another.
Undoubtably, Whitehead is a gifted and prolific writer, but what I have come to learn over time, is that certain authors just aren't always the right fit for you as a reader. His sentences are impactful and he can pack so much into so few words which is an amazing literary win.
And while this works for many readers, at many points this makes his books feel challenging for me as a reader. I found that I was focusing so much on the detailed verbiage that it affected my ability to really take in the powerful premises of this books...which focus on the brutal sides of Black-American history.
While I felt a bit lost with this storyline at times, especially the flashbacks, I was highly impressed by his ability to change directions and share a crime suspense novel that also packed a powerful punch. This was a 3/5 read for me.
I was eager to read The Harlem Shuffle after having reading his last two novels. While my reading experiences were vastly different, I really connected with The Underground Railroad but struggled with the writing style of The Nickel Boys so I was curious as to how this one would play out.
I like complex storylines that are drawn out over time, but I struggle with ending that seem to come out of nowhere. What I have found is that each of his books are totally unique from one another.
Undoubtably, Whitehead is a gifted and prolific writer, but what I have come to learn over time, is that certain authors just aren't always the right fit for you as a reader. His sentences are impactful and he can pack so much into so few words which is an amazing literary win.
And while this works for many readers, at many points this makes his books feel challenging for me as a reader. I found that I was focusing so much on the detailed verbiage that it affected my ability to really take in the powerful premises of this books...which focus on the brutal sides of Black-American history.
While I felt a bit lost with this storyline at times, especially the flashbacks, I was highly impressed by his ability to change directions and share a crime suspense novel that also packed a powerful punch. This was a 3/5 read for me.