cmcrockford's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Devastating, like an Inside Llewellyn Davis of the Harlem Renaissance, but I also saw some parallels with friend groups/scenes I've been around, especially in how suicides and bad news can rock these little communities, but also in artists confronting their own mediocrity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Sexism, Confinement, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Racism, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Abortion
findingashlie's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
zoracious's review against another edition
5.0
A very intriguing tale that gives a not-so-often-seen glimpse into life during the Harlem Renaissance. Part social commentary, part novel, and so much more.
tesch18's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Racial slurs
octavia_cade's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting short novel inspired by the real-life group of Harlem artists to which the author belonged back in the 1920s. In some ways I feel I'm missing a lot here - the brief introduction of this edition gives some of the context, but the characters in Infants of the Spring are apparently based on other artists in the group, and I neither know enough about them or their work to pick up on the parallels and all the satirical references. (On the other hand, there are a few more people to add to my to-read list, which is never a bad thing.) Beyond all this missed specificity, however, is an often painfully incisive look at race - both through the friendship of Ray and Stephen, and through the different social reactions to this boarding house full of black artists. There's a sort of treacherous whirlpool of expectation, ambition, and prejudice which makes for genuinely compelling reading, and gives some insight as to what the author must have experienced himself.
lawrenceevalyn's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting and valuable perspective on the Harlem Renaissance, but not a particularly enjoyable read.
kreyoli's review
1.0
This is a book I really wanted to read bc I hoped it could teach me something, but I just couldn't connect with the charactersand the authors voice.
paigehettinger's review
4.0
i really liked this......it wasn't the best? written? but i really enjoyed it and what it was trying to communicate and all the characters and circumstances were really interesting to read about and DAMN there were some moments of just incredibly vivid and beautiful and sad imagery where the prose just SHONE!!!! but also.....i read it for a class focused on satire so i wonder how effective it really was........the jury is still out chief........
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