tacochelle's review against another edition
3.0
I liked how diverse and intriguing the characters were, especially the main character who, kind of ironically, is unnamed throughout the entire story. And as a lover of names and their history, I love the idea behind this book. But the majority of it was rather dull, and I found myself struggling and skimming to finish this short novel. It could have been done much better.
tdwightdavis's review against another edition
2.0
The first Colson Whitehead book that I just straight up didn’t like. I think it’s interesting that his debut novel was so in line with his later books, so imaginative and fresh and interesting and funny, and then his next two novels feel so ridiculously of their time, cousins to In the Air and bad satires like Boomsday, pretty standard, obvious (and, tbh, boring) satires about corporate America. Glad he shook that off with Zone One and hasn’t had a miss since then.
stefan_'s review against another edition
funny
reflective
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
4.0
elizafiedler's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.0
nadir's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
nidhimahajn's review against another edition
2.0
Little trickster of a book. Reminded me a lot of Tom McCarthy's Satin Island. But, ultimately, not as satisfying (and that has little to do with how it ends).
kjovertherainbow's review against another edition
reflective
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
3.25
aj_root101's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-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
2.0
eshanisurya's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0