reputzy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? N/A

5.0

This is the most moving book I’d read in ages. Incredibly written, approachable but incredibly dark. 
I think everyone in America should read this and take these lessons with them

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mollief's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional fast-paced

5.0

Oh boy, my heart. This one is a doozy, but I think I need to read everything Colson Whitehead writes.

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hollydyer328's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad 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? No

5.0

This was impressive. I'm still musing over Elwood and Turner, the kinds of Black boys they were, the choices they had to make, and what that says about survival as a Black man in the America. All of the choices Whitehead made have so much intention behind them, I don't even have my head wrapped around everything. Definitely warrants a re-read. This book is based off of the true story of a reform school for boys which is tragic and devastating, but also not surprising that something like this happened. I wasn't expecting to be impressed while I was reading it at the beginning, but MAN! the ending hit! Can't wait to see the movie adaptation!

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karyzi's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

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nadia's review against another edition

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dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

This, my first Whitehead, is a really good book, covering harrowing subject matter. I'm not sure the narration style was my favourite though. While it started strong, I ended up finding it a little dull at times, and I often had to reread sentences/paragraphs, thinking I'd missed something. Overall, the writing quality was great and towards the end of the book the pace picked up and I was swiftly turning those pages!

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jaaay_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This was a good book. It has many topics that can be hard for some to read so definitely look up content warnings. 

I think Elwood is a character that in this story is actually served by not really having a character arc. It was his sturdiness in all that was happening that was really admirable. 

Maybe it was because I was listening to an audiobook, but my only real critique was that there were times when we changed scenes, and it was a different character or plotline being talked about, and it took me a moment to understand what was happening. Nothing terrible, but I wish there had been some smoother transitions between the changes in perspective. 

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hayleyvem's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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seasonedreadings's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5


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ashsparrow's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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drymice's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5


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