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Angela M is taking a break.'s Reviews > Harlem Shuffle
Harlem Shuffle (Ray Carney, #1)
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This novel has been described as a crime story . I not interested in crime stories and I only read it because Colson Whitehead wrote it .
But as I expected, it was much more than about heists and fences and gangsters . Taking place in Harlem in 1959, 1961 and 1964, it’s a striking portrayal of a time and place reflecting on the racism then and there causing us to reflect on the racism here and now.
It’s a captivating story of a man who “was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked …” , and in spite of that slight bent, Ray Carney is a character I liked and will remember.
I received a copy of this book from Doubleday through NetGalley.
But as I expected, it was much more than about heists and fences and gangsters . Taking place in Harlem in 1959, 1961 and 1964, it’s a striking portrayal of a time and place reflecting on the racism then and there causing us to reflect on the racism here and now.
It’s a captivating story of a man who “was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked …” , and in spite of that slight bent, Ray Carney is a character I liked and will remember.
I received a copy of this book from Doubleday through NetGalley.
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Reading Progress
August 3, 2021
– Shelved
August 3, 2021
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 11, 2021
–
Started Reading
October 15, 2021
– Shelved as:
netgalley-reviews
October 15, 2021
–
Finished Reading
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Julie
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Oct 15, 2021 09:59AM
Marvelous review, Angela!! 💖
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Wonderful review Angela. I just picked this one up from the library yesterday, have seen a lot of mixed reviews but I too really like his writing so I hope I will like this one too.
Great review, Angela. I'm adding this to my tbr.
Thanks for a more meaningful perspective about this book💜
Thanks, Julie , Melissa, Anne, Jonetta and Marilyn.Melissa and Jonetta , there are mixed reviews, but I thought there was more here . While it’s not as deep as The Underground Railroad or The Nickel Boys, I thought there was definitely substantive and if nothing else a good reflection of the time .
That’s exactly what I inferred.
Thought so , Jonetta !
A perfect review, Angela. And confirmation that I can’t pass up a book by Colson Whitehead, especially one in Harlem. Thank you!
Kerrin and Lorna , thanks so much.
Lovely review, Angela. I am with you- I’ll read it because Colson Whitehead wrote it. ♥️
Thanks, Jennifer ! I don’t think you’ll be sorry. I wasn’t disappointed.
Angela, I'm so glad that you found the essence of this novel to extend beyond the obvious to include what a lovely ode to the time and place this was.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Angela. Whitehead and I don't get along very well, so we've parted ways and I'll just read friends reviews of his books from now on. But you do make it sound very different and interesting from his others!
Cheri, thanks so much! I knew it had to be!
Lori , thanks. I get that. There are a couple of authors that others seem to love , but with whom I don’t get along . I find , like you, it’s best to part ways.
Nice review, Angela! I, too want to read it because Whitehead is the author. Al Roker was raving about it on the Today show.
I'm looking forward to reading this novel. I'm slowly moving up the wait list at the library.
Thanks, Linda. Sorry I missed that show !
Thanks, Lisa. I’ll be interested in what you think.
Nice review, I wasn't really interested in this one but glad you enjoyed it :)
Love the review. This one is on my list I’ll get around to reading it soon.
Thanks, Glenda. Hope it’s a good one for you.
Thanks, Dorie. Sorry it didn’t work for you.
Good review. I agree with Angela M - it did not work for me. I am hoping for his next one to be better. Willing a Pulitzer twice is a big deal but it does not carry over to this book. peace, janz
Thanks, Bianca.
Peacejanz, thanks. Sorry it didn’t work for you.
Great review Angela, I agree more than just the criminal element at work here!
Thanks, DeAnn.
I was not inclined to read this because I was not enthralled with his UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. Angela M, should I reconsider?
May, I thought TUR was an important book , but I wasn’t crazy about the railroad as an actual railroad and I felt it took from the real history, but I like his writing style. I loved the Nickel Boys - tough but great read . This on the surface seems like a crime story, but I thought it was much more about the time and place . Hard to say if you’d like it.
