Reviews

Erasure by Percival Everett

andyblv's review against another edition

4.0

So many layers of meaning. So much remains hidden and unsaid. Withering social commentary. A skewering of the publishing world and literary industrial complex, including the petty, narrow interests of readers. There is a lot of language in the book. And a lot of introspection on the part of the reader.

zachmdoane's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

mkara10's review against another edition

Didn't grab my attention. Maybe try another time. 

liridona's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

So so good

vejohnson's review against another edition

4.5

A marvelous satire

jdscott50's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Monk travels for a conference and uses the excuse to visit his ailing mother and sister. An English professor but also a novelist, his writing only has middling success. His publishers always pushed him for Black fiction, but he would rather rewrite Greek Tragedies. When a young woman has a breakthrough hit using offensive imagery and language, he intends to write something to mock it but accidentally becomes a literary sensation. Now an Academy Award Winning movie.

I enjoyed the themes of erasing. His mother is losing her memory to dementia, his sister is murdered, and his brother has abandoned his family. His family disintegrates quickly. Furthermore, he used a false identity to write his parody novel. When he has to play the part for interviews, he starts to wonder who the real him is. Success comes at a price. 

jimmyperk's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

jwtaljaard's review

lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

jimryan's review against another edition

5.0

Savagely funny but also wonderfully poignant.

gemmapz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

What a wild ride. I won’t even pretend like I understood all of it frankly, some of the writing was puzzling to me, but the premise was good. The humor was solid and it sure was thought-provoking.