ireanirean's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sreddous's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
An interesting, immersive story with a lot of interesting, morally-gray characters!
Overall, I was able to get lost in this book easily (in a good way!!), but I think a few things would make Babe a little easier to follow and to really root for. He's taking all these risks to build a better house for his family, but what I think is missing is the sort of desperation that comes from risks like this being worth it -- part of me wanted to yell at Babe, "you're doing okay without all this!!" because throughout the book we get nice scenes where he sits with his healthy children and wife at the dinner table, and his wife goes on picnics with other family members, etc. So I wish that we saw more of their desperation or poverty or something so that it was easier to be like, "wow, these risks are worth it," when Babe starts making risky decisions. It was sometimes a little hard to logically root for him.
But -- weirdly, without going into spoilery detail, I think the ending actually fit the way Babe's decisions all added up together! I actually muttered "well, damn," out loud when the book ended, and it left me thinking for a while later too. It's clear we're being set up for a sequel, and that's fine, but as a standalone, yeah, that's some realistic results! So in that regard, the book felt well-built-up-to and high-stakes.
So yeah! Cool stuff!
Overall, I was able to get lost in this book easily (in a good way!!), but I think a few things would make Babe a little easier to follow and to really root for. He's taking all these risks to build a better house for his family, but what I think is missing is the sort of desperation that comes from risks like this being worth it -- part of me wanted to yell at Babe, "you're doing okay without all this!!" because throughout the book we get nice scenes where he sits with his healthy children and wife at the dinner table, and his wife goes on picnics with other family members, etc. So I wish that we saw more of their desperation or poverty or something so that it was easier to be like, "wow, these risks are worth it," when Babe starts making risky decisions. It was sometimes a little hard to logically root for him.
But -- weirdly, without going into spoilery detail, I think the ending actually fit the way Babe's decisions all added up together! I actually muttered "well, damn," out loud when the book ended, and it left me thinking for a while later too. It's clear we're being set up for a sequel, and that's fine, but as a standalone, yeah, that's some realistic results! So in that regard, the book felt well-built-up-to and high-stakes.
So yeah! Cool stuff!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
dawnshaee's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
shannanh's review
5.0
Although this is not normally my type of read, I really enjoyed this book. We take a trip back in time where the author tells a compelling and emotional story in an ode to his grandfather. With a cast of characters that are not normally shown in the black community, it was a riveting ride. The surprises as well as the twists and turns had me spellbound. I could not and did not want to put this book down. It took me on such a ride, and I would absolutely watch this if it was turned into a movie. Although I do wish there was a little bit more to the ending, as far as a certain situation, the result of it, otherwise it was a delight to read this book.
cory1906's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A page turner that I read in one day. It reminded me of Harlem Knights.
niahraereads's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I want to preface this with I truly love Cedric the Entertainer, mostly for his role as Uncle Bobby on The Proud Family 😂
That being said, Flipping Boxcars was just okay to me. I think the premise of the story was really good, but it wasn't executed very well. There were a number of scenes that didn't feel like they were important to the story at all. For example, I did not get the importance of. The thing that bothered me the most is that there was no resolution to the story. I felt like I read all of that for nothing. It leaves off on a big cliffhanger, and the resolution could have really tied up the book nicely. I would have given it 4 stars if it weren't for that.
I hope there is a follow-up book, because there was a lot left unanswered and I am actually curious to know what happens next.
That being said, Flipping Boxcars was just okay to me. I think the premise of the story was really good, but it wasn't executed very well. There were a number of scenes that didn't feel like they were important to the story at all. For example, I did not get the importance of
Spoiler
the family whose house burned down and a firetruck was gifted to their neighborhoodI hope there is a follow-up book, because there was a lot left unanswered and I am actually curious to know what happens next.
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