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maryeverettb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stephashryver's review against another edition
5.0
This is another book of 2022 that I ended up basically almost completely re-reading for an essay and then felt compelled to come back and review properly/change my rating here. Note to self: hard books generally are worth reading twice.
This book is a genuine masterpiece and perhaps one of the best books I've ever read. It covers so many important themes and it has so many disparate elements working in tandem the whole time - it's just an amazing feat of writerly craftsmanship in the sense that so many things have to fit together for it to work, and they do! Links are created across time and between characters, seemingly random elements are really pointing to something specific, symbols and motifs are repeated throughout, chronological confusion adds to the atmosphere and heightens the message. All of these are techniques that I have grown to love in fiction - and White Tears pulls all of it off at once!
I can see why so many reviewers felt that the book lost the plot in the second half. It's true - it becomes confusing and incoherent and difficult to follow and the tone shifts markedly - but while difficult and confusing it IS possible to extract meaning from the confusion and follow what's going on, it just takes a lot of work on the part of the reader. And the very confusion that seems to have put so many people off I think in fact adds to the atmosphere and the layers of meaning through the blurring together of different characters' narratives and the temporal fluidity.
So you definitely have to be in the right state of mind to tackle this book. It's not an easy read, the content is often sickening if not blatantly triggering and the story and ideas become difficult to comprehend at times. But if you feel that you're up to the challenge, it really is an intellectual marvel. This book pushed me right out of my comfort zone, that's for sure, but this made for one of the most stimulating and engaging reading experiences I've had in a long while.
initial thoughts
This is so hard to rate. Ahhh.
Halfway through I was so gripped and I was thinking a definite 5 stars - but towards the end it became such a discombobulating mindfuck - it will probably take me about 2 rereads and 3 essays to decipher all the layers of meaning, never mind form my own opinion.
However, it made some great points. I felt the more experimental narrative style generally served a purpose to try and say something interesting and wasn't just a gimmick.
So overall good, I think.
*4.5*
This book is a genuine masterpiece and perhaps one of the best books I've ever read. It covers so many important themes and it has so many disparate elements working in tandem the whole time - it's just an amazing feat of writerly craftsmanship in the sense that so many things have to fit together for it to work, and they do! Links are created across time and between characters, seemingly random elements are really pointing to something specific, symbols and motifs are repeated throughout, chronological confusion adds to the atmosphere and heightens the message. All of these are techniques that I have grown to love in fiction - and White Tears pulls all of it off at once!
I can see why so many reviewers felt that the book lost the plot in the second half. It's true - it becomes confusing and incoherent and difficult to follow and the tone shifts markedly - but while difficult and confusing it IS possible to extract meaning from the confusion and follow what's going on, it just takes a lot of work on the part of the reader. And the very confusion that seems to have put so many people off I think in fact adds to the atmosphere and the layers of meaning through the blurring together of different characters' narratives and the temporal fluidity.
So you definitely have to be in the right state of mind to tackle this book. It's not an easy read, the content is often sickening if not blatantly triggering and the story and ideas become difficult to comprehend at times. But if you feel that you're up to the challenge, it really is an intellectual marvel. This book pushed me right out of my comfort zone, that's for sure, but this made for one of the most stimulating and engaging reading experiences I've had in a long while.
initial thoughts
This is so hard to rate. Ahhh.
Halfway through I was so gripped and I was thinking a definite 5 stars - but towards the end it became such a discombobulating mindfuck - it will probably take me about 2 rereads and 3 essays to decipher all the layers of meaning, never mind form my own opinion.
However, it made some great points. I felt the more experimental narrative style generally served a purpose to try and say something interesting and wasn't just a gimmick.
So overall good, I think.
*4.5*
tnsmith77's review against another edition
4.0
I’m not sure where to start. So, I’ll be brief.
It’s well written and the story took a direction I didn’t expect. It was commentary on race in America and I appreciate the perspective and how it still acknowledges racism and the “dangers of cultural appropriation.
Note: I made the mistake of listening to most of the 2nd half via audiobook and it made it harder to follow as the voices changed. So, I would recommend actually reading the last 1/4. I went back to do that and it made more sense.
It’s well written and the story took a direction I didn’t expect. It was commentary on race in America and I appreciate the perspective and how it still acknowledges racism and the “dangers of cultural appropriation.
Note: I made the mistake of listening to most of the 2nd half via audiobook and it made it harder to follow as the voices changed. So, I would recommend actually reading the last 1/4. I went back to do that and it made more sense.
torihoo's review against another edition
4.0
Do you ever get that feeling, when you finish a really good book, a book you can't put down, that you're coming up from being underwater? Or you've got some kind of mind-vertigo from being so long in a different story?
I've got that after reading White Tears. The characters, details, and prose are rich, as is the historical fabric of the story. A stunning commentary on the appropriation of black culture, particularly music. I'll admit to getting lost in the unmoored, ghostly second half of the novel, but it was kind of an enjoyable limbo. I didn't fully grasp what was going on, but I didn't feel like I needed to.
Looking forward to reading more of Hari Kunzru's work in the future.
I've got that after reading White Tears. The characters, details, and prose are rich, as is the historical fabric of the story. A stunning commentary on the appropriation of black culture, particularly music. I'll admit to getting lost in the unmoored, ghostly second half of the novel, but it was kind of an enjoyable limbo. I didn't fully grasp what was going on, but I didn't feel like I needed to.
Looking forward to reading more of Hari Kunzru's work in the future.
sadiel92's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-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
3.5
vegantrav's review against another edition
5.0
Why do they sing the blues? It's a simple question. The answer is so much less than simple.
And Hari Kunzru, in White Tears, gives you the answer. He doesn't force it on you. He doesn't beat you over the head, though by the end, you'll be black and blue. Hari Kunzru takes you by the hand, gently leading you to the path. At first, you think you're reading a story about friendship and making music. You go on, and suddenly you think maybe you're in some sort of ghost story, maybe a tale of the occult or of demon possession, or could it be a psychotic episode, or is it some strange looping time travel twisting the narrative into knots?
It's a puzzle. It's not hard to put together, but actually putting it together is hard, is unpleasant, is horrifying, even. You will go places you don't want to go. See things you don't want to see. See a history you'd love to forget. And you will find the answer. Mark it down. You will understand the blues.
But this isn't a story about the blues. This is a story about American history. About America trying to forget the past. And worse: trying not to see the present. But it's also a story of myopia. Of frenetic visions and sweating, chaotic fear. A story of karma. A story of that darkness. You know that darkness. We all do. We've all seen and unseen that darkness.
You can't summarize this novel and do it any justice. You must read it. It will possess you. Or maybe you will possess it. Or something of both. You'll be in this reality that leaves you questioning reality but never leaves you. And you'll get answers. You might not like them. Hell, if you do like them, there's something wrong with you. Who ever said the truth had to be nice and pretty?
White Tears is among the best novels I've read this decade. Kunzru's prose . . . I am unable to put into words just how good it is. This man can write. Not just write: he can create. This novel is a world that you live in, that lives in you. Try to read this entire novel without exclaiming in awe at its brilliance. Multiple times. This is the word made flesh. This is holy writ.
Words are so insufficient. The best I can do to express my awe of this book is just to say, "God damn!"
And Hari Kunzru, in White Tears, gives you the answer. He doesn't force it on you. He doesn't beat you over the head, though by the end, you'll be black and blue. Hari Kunzru takes you by the hand, gently leading you to the path. At first, you think you're reading a story about friendship and making music. You go on, and suddenly you think maybe you're in some sort of ghost story, maybe a tale of the occult or of demon possession, or could it be a psychotic episode, or is it some strange looping time travel twisting the narrative into knots?
It's a puzzle. It's not hard to put together, but actually putting it together is hard, is unpleasant, is horrifying, even. You will go places you don't want to go. See things you don't want to see. See a history you'd love to forget. And you will find the answer. Mark it down. You will understand the blues.
But this isn't a story about the blues. This is a story about American history. About America trying to forget the past. And worse: trying not to see the present. But it's also a story of myopia. Of frenetic visions and sweating, chaotic fear. A story of karma. A story of that darkness. You know that darkness. We all do. We've all seen and unseen that darkness.
You can't summarize this novel and do it any justice. You must read it. It will possess you. Or maybe you will possess it. Or something of both. You'll be in this reality that leaves you questioning reality but never leaves you. And you'll get answers. You might not like them. Hell, if you do like them, there's something wrong with you. Who ever said the truth had to be nice and pretty?
White Tears is among the best novels I've read this decade. Kunzru's prose . . . I am unable to put into words just how good it is. This man can write. Not just write: he can create. This novel is a world that you live in, that lives in you. Try to read this entire novel without exclaiming in awe at its brilliance. Multiple times. This is the word made flesh. This is holy writ.
Words are so insufficient. The best I can do to express my awe of this book is just to say, "God damn!"
lindzlovesreading's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book. A Great Gatsby-esque, haunted blues music, with a heavy horror element, that also deals with race. This is completely up my alley. The fact it didn't work for me, broke my heart a little. I am not sure what didn't exactly work for me. Yes, it's pretenious, which doesn't usually work for horror, but I am usually fine with pretenious, I read enough Eastern Ellis in my early 20s, I am comfortable with it. I liked the blurring of the time line, and I am fine with the turn. I love the turns like this, and this is a good turn. I think the thing that got me is, I didn't understand why the main character was attracted to this wealthy family. He is far too datached, and all you are left with a bunch of assholes with no motovations. The main character (I can't even remember his name) keeps saying he was my best friend, but I never got a hint of emotional connection from him in the slightest.
I always says if you don't like a book it says more about me than it does the book. And this book wasn't willing to give me the thing I wanted from it. It was intersted in something else. And we didn't click. Sometimes the book just isn't into you.
I always says if you don't like a book it says more about me than it does the book. And this book wasn't willing to give me the thing I wanted from it. It was intersted in something else. And we didn't click. Sometimes the book just isn't into you.
conveniencestorewoman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jgelmini's review against another edition
4.0
I really struggled with the beginning of this book because the satire felt too subtle and like it was erring on the side of endorsing the attitudes that it was supposed to be calling out. However, wait until the end and the callouts do come.
I had the audiobook, which was not a full cast but did have different voices for the main character, Jump Jim and Charlie Shaw. I can't imagine that reading the Laughing Track would have nearly the same impact as hearing it out loud, it was chilling.
I had the audiobook, which was not a full cast but did have different voices for the main character, Jump Jim and Charlie Shaw. I can't imagine that reading the Laughing Track would have nearly the same impact as hearing it out loud, it was chilling.
amjammi's review against another edition
4.0
This is a strange book. Days later I'm still fixating on different parts, deciding whether I liked them or not.