brendamn's Reviews (370)

Ring Shout

P. Djèlí Clark

3.25

adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Speak of the Devil: How the Satanic Temple Is Changing the Way We Talk about Religion

Joseph P. Laycock

2.5

informative medium-paced

James

Percival Everett

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny informative tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Copying over and updating my review from Oct 2024:

Everett is one of the most gifted writers alive with an innate sense of talent. While it is present in James, though not used liberally as usual , he is a proven master dark sarcasm and employs it effortlessly. A technique that leaves you first amused followed by inexplicable discomfort as you try and process how you could derive such enjoyment from something so heavy and serious. With this trait he fits in well with the greatest of this craft such as Frank McCourt, Kurt Vonnegut, Sherman Alexie, and Thomas King.

The answer in the end to the question anyone might be wondering "Should I read this?": for anything written by Percival Everett the answer is always "Yes". Though possibly save Telephone and Trees for when you are prepared for an emotionally massive gut punch. Though for absolute sure read Erasure, which I personally find to be his greatest work (from what I have read so far).

James has enough reviews as it is, for good reason, and don't think I'd have much to add that hasn't been said already on this one.