Welcome to Litsy!

Second book in the Ray Carney tale for February bookclub courtesy of moi.

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When I picked this up I did not realize it was a sequel to Harlem Shuffle, but I am so glad it was. So great to continue the story of Ray and his family - both real and criminal - into the 1970s. I would keep reading stories in this world as long as Colson Whitehead wants to keep writing them.

First book 2024. He writes this story in such an exciting way. Not for skim reading as often great sentences are buried in each paragraph.

Very good.

Attended Chicago Library Foundation Awards dinner tonight. Great evening celebrating libraries, librarians (heroes!!!), authors, books, & the freedom to read. The fight against book bans was also a theme of the evening. Obama tapped a message but highlight was definitely Colson Whitehead—fantastic interview with f-bomb‘s, laughter, & insight into life & writing. Came home with tagged book as well as some frequently banned/challenged books.

He‘s back! Whitehead‘s latest novel is a knock-out. Brilliantly drawn characters that you grow to love in spite of, perhaps because of their flaws. His wonderful story telling skills are definitely on display in this tale set in the 70‘s. There are three sections are linked by recurring characters and the city, NY. Ray Carney and Pepper are unforgettable. Even the psychotic cop, Munson, presents a fascinating character study. A fantastic novel!

I have trouble settling into Whitehead‘s particular style of writing. I‘ve struggled a bit with every one I‘ve tried, but I ended up enjoying Harlem Shuffle, and I like this sequel just as much. He once again follows crooked furniture dealer Ray Carney through three novellas. First he gets back involved with a crooked cop for Jackson 5 tickets. A few years later he‘s at work on a blaxploitation film. The last one has him investigating an arson.

I‘m a bit late posting, but here‘s the shelf I‘m currently choosing from and my #bookspin and #doublespin. I‘ve started Crook, and I‘m enjoying it. Ray Carney is a fun character. I feel lucky to have found the #nyrb Simenon used because I think @vivastory said his books are out of print with them rn. It will be my first by him. Lots more to choose from if I enjoy it. 😁 Otherwise, I‘ll see where the month takes me!

I wasn‘t as invested in this story as I was when I first met Ray Kearney, but I‘m still glad I read it. When I see this book in months to come it‘s not the details I‘ll remember as much as getting a sense of what it was like to be a black man in 1970s Harlem.

#2 August read: Crook Manifesto by one of my favs Colson Whitehead🥰

I loved Harlem Shuffle and this is the second in the series. It takes great writing to like such a crooked character (Pepper). This didn‘t have the pace of the first, still good, but more forced. Carney and Harlem still provide a lot to like, just not complete love for me.

Love this!