reputzy's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

hollydyer328's review against another edition

Go to review page

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!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

karyzi's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mollyb13's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark 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

Picked this book up a couple years ago and had a hard time getting into it. Decided to give it another go since a film adaptation is coming out and it is The Stacks Book Club pick this month. And boy, am I glad that I was pushed to try reading this again. This book is worth every bit of the Pulitzer Prize that it won. 

Absolutely haunting and maddening. Colson Whitehead really packs a punch in well under 300 pages. I will be processing this story and the ending for quite a while.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mr_e_staley's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark 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

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

cbbenton's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

seasonedreadings's review against another edition

Go to review page

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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ashsparrow's review against another edition

Go to review page

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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

drymice's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jessicasonley's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark sad tense fast-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

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings