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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.
blairmahoney's review against another edition
4.0
The first half of this novel gave me strong Paul Auster vibes: solitary characters with unusual obsessions living in New York. It gets steadily weirder, though, as a dual narrative kicks in and it transforms into a fever dream of a ghost story, with characters losing their identities and the reader unsure of who is who and what is what. It's about blues music and racial prejudice and appropriation, but it's also about the prison industrial complex that the United States has perfected. I've really enjoyed Kunzru's previous books and this one is also recommended.
swampsounds's review against another edition
So much about photography I felt myself unable to engage with the first few pages. Will try again later.
carlynclark's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
arnoles's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I sometimes really struggle with books that leave a lot of things unexplained, so at first I was leaning more toward the 4 star range. However, I have not been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it. It was absolutely captivating, a ghost story predicated on true, real life horror. The several different timelines bleeding together were all compelling and the last 10% or so of the book tied them together in a way that was simply genius. I really enjoyed the writing style, very matter of fact and frank. Yes, there are many unexplained elements, but there's still a clear resolution to the story -- therefore, for me, this is a 5 star read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Rape
Minor: Suicide
cinemazombie's review against another edition
5.0
A story of the past bleeding into the present, a tale of blood written in the grooves of a record whispering static ghosts your ears. A truly gripping story of race, music, and the struggle for lasting purpose. It reads like a fever dream, both breakneck and fugue-like in pace and atmosphere, engrossing from start to finish.
zzfinch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
discokonomi's review against another edition
4.0
A tremendous, difficult, and stunning read. It melds temporalities and timelines, characters and motivations, with a tinge of satire. The writing is beautiful; the way the book comes together is neat, although the journey is at times obscured. I can't wait to revisit this.
sarabasti's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
3.5
i truly don’t know how to feel about this book. but i’m sure a reread in like 3 years will hit hard