It's hard to just jot down a short summary blurb on this novel because it goes in so many different directions. To put it absolutely simplistically and ignore all the fabulous details it's about racial tensions in Atlanta when a black football player is acussed of raping a white socialite's daughter. Interestingly enough the characters that weave this story aren't directly involved i.e. you don't get to know the football players or the socialite daughter's point of veiw. It's a brilliant peice at so many levels.

people who find social behavior completely fascinating and people who love reading a story from a completely different point of veiw.

the descriptions which were wonderful. At points the imagery was so fantastic I laughed out loud while at the same time feeling terribly guilty for laughing, as if I were laughing at a real person's misfortunes! It also makes you sympathetic of characters who you'd normally really loathe which is just great as far as I'm concerned. I delighted in the fact the story was told by so many different, and at first seemingly unconnected, characters. It was all put together brilliantly.

it did get long winded at points but I think it was still very much worth it. It's made it's way as one of my favorite books of all time.

read Tom Wolfe's earlier work to see if his acute observations were something he always had or something he grew into.

guilty, amused, entertained, conflicted, exasperated, pondrous, exhausted in a good way (like it's over? No it can't be over!) You'll find people who read this will say "such a huge story told in less then 700 pages!" as if they want more which is so true, by the time you read that much you don't want it to end.

is truely amazing at creating such an intricate picture of not just one or two characters but an entire city. You start to believe his characters are real breathing entities and I think this adds so much to the story.

it's right on target. It has something to say, albeit satirically it is a social critique. It's utterly facinating on a socialogical level and the wording, descriptions, syle, and lifelike characters keep you going not to mention the strangest details. For instance I would have NO IDEA what Yoruban art is if I didn't read it being discussed by some of the characters in a scene which really added nothing to the plot but did subconsciencly teach the readers.

it's a big book! It's around 700 pages if I remember right and although it is PACKED with fantastic social commentary it is written for a pretty specific audience and I think the length is atleast in part to discourage the type of people who wouldn't really 'get' it.

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Created Aug 28, 2005 at 6:35pm • Submit your own review...