Harlem Shuffle

by

eBook, 400 pages

Nederlands language

Published Sept. 13, 2021 by Atlas Contact.

ISBN:
978-90-254-7126-2
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4 stars (3 reviews)

De onderwereld van Harlem in de jaren ’60 frustreert de ambities van een (deels) keurige meubelverkoper in dit verhaal vol roofovervallen, afpersing en zwendel, gesitueerd in een roerig New York. ‘Harlem Shuffle’ van Colson Whitehead gaat over Ray Carney, een beschaafde meubelverkoper die voor zijn klanten en buren in 125th Street een fatsoenlijk leven probeert te leiden. Zijn vrouw is in verwachting van hun tweede kind, en ook al wonen ze in een krap appartement te dicht bij het metrospoor: hij heeft veel bereikt, hij is tevreden. Wat weinig mensen weten, is dat Ray afkomstig is uit een geslacht van bendeleden en boeven, en dat zijn brave burgermansbestaan barsten begint te vertonen. Barsten die steeds groter worden dankzij zijn louche, onfortuinlijke neef Freddie, die dankbaar gebruikmaakt van Rays keurige façade – en hem ondertussen steeds dieper de Harlemse onderwereld in sleurt. Terwijl Ray worstelt met zijn dubbelleven begint hij steeds …

5 editions

reviewed Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

Good atmosphere and evocation

4 stars

After the grimness of Underground Railroad and Nickel Boys, I had said that I would not read anymore Colson Whitehead, however I was persuaded to give Harlem Shuffle a go on the promise that it was nowhere near as dark. And that is certainly the case. The novel is split into three sections, each a story set at a different time within the life of Ray Carney, a furniture seller with a couple of dodgy side hustles. Ray makes for an intriguing central character and I loved seeing Harlem flow around him. Perhaps Harlem Shuffle wasn't always quite as gripping as I had hoped, but it was still a good book for me and I was glad to have been able to borrow a cooy.

reviewed Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

Goodreads Review of Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

2 stars

I mean it was fine. What's there to say. Quite well written, don't get me wrong. But I found the three acts all lacking action, intrigue, and a consistent through line. None of the characters were memorable or distinct in a way that impacted the story, including the main character. They all seemed to serve as a backdrop for a story that was was not interesting enough to stand up on its own. It wasn't a bad read at all, just wholly unmemorable.