Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “I emailed Professor Everett and asked if this novel was slightly autobiographical. He told me "no" but his protagonist and he have similar hobbies. Excellent read; be sure to have your dictionary and and a means to translate several languages when you read it.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Erasure is a fantastic, satirical look at race in America, particularly through the eyes of an upperclass, scholarly black man who is disenfranchised with the "realism" of the lower class, urban atmosphere that has stereotyped African American fiction. The book within the book is just as good, if not better, than the book itself. Everett is a fun, often hilarious, author, who knows how to take a serious subject and make us smile and cry at the same time. ”
Shawn Braley wrote this review Sunday, January 1, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I've been wanting to read a Percival Everett book for sometime. The book had an interesting story-line that kept you intrigued however sometimes the random thoughts of the main character were too intellectual to make sense. I liked the book because it showed a different view on the black family, one rarely shown in story lines. Would highly recommend for someone looking for a challenging read with a complicated plot. ”
Heather L wrote this review Saturday, January 8, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Delicious satire, laced with heart. I teach this at the end of my Af Am lit courses. it's funny and energetic enough to give a little energy boost at the end of term. In addition, it raises all the issues we spent the wntire term disucussing!”
Tayari Jones wrote this review Tuesday, June 1, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“One of the best books I ever read. A definite must-read on the state of black literature. Don't read if you haven't already read Native Son, though.”
Heather G wrote this review Friday, July 24, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a well-written book that defies review. The conflicted protagonist (an African-American writer of literary novels) writes a novel (included in the book) that exemplifies the most negative stereotypes of African-American men that he can think of. He does it to expose the flagrant nature of said stereotypes. But the publishing industry loves it, readers love it, and he has the opportunity to become exceedingly wealthy (and solve some real financial challenges) if he will publish it.
apokalypsis wrote this review Monday, February 23, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
After reading this novel, I don't think I will ever be able to refer to a book as "an important work of African-American fiction".
Everett does an exquisite job of illustrating what it feels like to be a misunderstood intellectual.
Some of the fun he has at the expense of the publishing industry or literary critics is hilarious.
[/br]"Wilde: I'm afraid for the voice.
[/br]Joyce: What do you mean?
[/br]Wilde: The way writing is moving. All voice will soon be lost and what will we be left with?
[/br]Joyce: Pages.
[/br]Wilde: And story?
[/br]Joyce: What is story anyway? Just a way to announce the last page.
[/br]Wilde: Have you ever walked through a thunderstorm carrying a long metal pipe?
[/br]Joyce: No, I haven't.
[/br]Wilde: You should try it.
[/br]Joyce: Are you upset?
[/br]Wilde: No, just announcing the last page."
[/br]"The jacket copy made each [book] sound great, blurbs from established literary icons told me why I should like it. . . . I would have found refreshing 'Jo Blow's new novel takes on the mundane and leaves it right where it is. The prose is clear and pedestrian. The moves are tried and true. Yet the book is not so alarmingly dishonest. The characters are as wooden as the ones we meet in real life. This is a torturous journey through the banal. The novel is ordinary but not insipid, pointless but not meaningless, savorless but not stale. Jo Blow is a middle aged writer with a family and no discernible special features. He lives in a house and is about as smart as his last novel.'"”1 of 1 members found this review helpful“I emailed Professor Everett and asked if this novel was slightly autobiographical. He told me "no" but his protagonist and he have similar hobbies. Excellent read; be sure to have your dictionary and and a means to translate several languages when you read it. ”
olin s wrote this review Saturday, March 8, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Loved this book. The sarcasm was laugh out loud and insightful writers journey was painful at times. Family dynamics were right on.”
mnnorthwoodsgal wrote this review Friday, February 29, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Awesome book! Loved it! ”
Luvlilocs E wrote this review Wednesday, February 27, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“I've read several books by this prof. from my alma mater, USC (Trojans, not Gamecocks).
Timothy F wrote this review Wednesday, November 28, 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This one is the best and least formulaic. What really struck me is that the "novel within the novel" ("My Pafology") really holds the readers interest - even though Everett is clearly lampooning a very lame genre!
The story is catchy - kind "Amadeus" in reverse, with the real talent being overlooked and striking back at the mediocre hacks who get all the attention.”
