Helpful Score: 2
I have read most of Colson Whitehead's books. I first met Colson while I was a member of The Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club. We got a chance to read and discuss Sag Harbor before it was published. I remember thinking how much I loved his humor and what an excellent writer he was. Whenever I see that Colson has a new book, I strive to get a copy in order to read it. I'm very thankful that NetGalley and Doubleday Books approved me to read a copy of Harlem Shuffle for an honest review. The book is basically a love letter to Harlem, a family saga and a crime novel rolled into one. It is an entertaining read about heists, shakedowns and ripoffs set in early 1960 Harlem. His characters are unforgettable as Colson is a great storyteller and paints a picture in your mind as the novel unfolds. If you love crime novels then you should invest in this book. If you want to learn more about Colson, I also suggest that you read Sag Harbor, as that book is somewhat autobiographical.
Helpful Score: 1
"Ray Carney was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked ..." Colson Whitehead, Harlem Shuffle
These first words set the tone for Colson Whitehead's newest novel. It shares the life of Ray Carney, a Black man, in the roles of husband, father, furniture store owner, employer, community leader, and fence in New York City from 1959 to 1964. Key themes include exploration of father and son relationships, consequences of the Harlem riot of 1964 which were triggered by a police shooting that killed a 15-year-old Black youth, and the slippery slope of compromising one's values to achieve success.
The setting, New York City and specifically Harlem, is central to the plot and an important character. I'm not familiar with NYC geography, and didn't care enough to research it, so I missed a big piece of the story. My favorite sections were recountings of heists - think Oceans 11 on a much smaller scale. I appreciated that they were told in the past tense rather than as they were happening. It was a surprise to see Omaha, my city, mentioned a couple of times.
I'm sure this novel is brilliant, and discussing it with other readers would give me greater insights into Mr. Whitehead's genius and greater appreciation for its craft. I'm glad I read it, but it's not likely to be on my top 10 books of 2021. Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the review copy.
These first words set the tone for Colson Whitehead's newest novel. It shares the life of Ray Carney, a Black man, in the roles of husband, father, furniture store owner, employer, community leader, and fence in New York City from 1959 to 1964. Key themes include exploration of father and son relationships, consequences of the Harlem riot of 1964 which were triggered by a police shooting that killed a 15-year-old Black youth, and the slippery slope of compromising one's values to achieve success.
The setting, New York City and specifically Harlem, is central to the plot and an important character. I'm not familiar with NYC geography, and didn't care enough to research it, so I missed a big piece of the story. My favorite sections were recountings of heists - think Oceans 11 on a much smaller scale. I appreciated that they were told in the past tense rather than as they were happening. It was a surprise to see Omaha, my city, mentioned a couple of times.
I'm sure this novel is brilliant, and discussing it with other readers would give me greater insights into Mr. Whitehead's genius and greater appreciation for its craft. I'm glad I read it, but it's not likely to be on my top 10 books of 2021. Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the review copy.
