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spregasaur94's review
3.0
3.5. It was entertaining and an interesting concept and approach but I mostly felt confused the whole time and then at the end. I respect that that may have a lot more to do with me as a reader then the book itself. It was just confusing and not all of the parts always connected for me. Definitely a unique reading experience overall though and I respect the effort that went into this storytelling!
I’ll also add that I really appreciate the authenticity in this book. I felt like the characters were real people and unapologetically themselves. So few books center young black men in all of their love, humor, fear, passions, worries, and strengths. I felt that Laymon did an incredible job building City and making him someone to love and root for.
I’ll also add that I really appreciate the authenticity in this book. I felt like the characters were real people and unapologetically themselves. So few books center young black men in all of their love, humor, fear, passions, worries, and strengths. I felt that Laymon did an incredible job building City and making him someone to love and root for.
nadia's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a fantastic, unique, funny, clever book!
It has a theme I often struggle with — time travel — but I got it enough to appreciate the quality of what Kiese has put together. I did spend some time trying to piece together exactly what happened when afterwards, and whether I missed something that was meant to make it all click, before realising that that's not really the important part. I got the overall gist and it was a brilliant backdrop for such important conversations.
Probably one I'd wanna reread in a couple years and I'm also excited to read more of Laymon's work.
P.S. I hear a more recent edition of this book has the book in a different structure? I've got an edition from 2013.
P.P.S. This was one of the first ever recommendations Rob's first StoryGraph rec algorithm gave to me! The model has come on a very long way since then but it's very cool to see that it was getting a lot right back then.
It has a theme I often struggle with — time travel — but I got it enough to appreciate the quality of what Kiese has put together. I did spend some time trying to piece together exactly what happened when afterwards, and whether I missed something that was meant to make it all click, before realising that that's not really the important part. I got the overall gist and it was a brilliant backdrop for such important conversations.
Probably one I'd wanna reread in a couple years and I'm also excited to read more of Laymon's work.
P.S. I hear a more recent edition of this book has the book in a different structure? I've got an edition from 2013.
P.P.S. This was one of the first ever recommendations Rob's first StoryGraph rec algorithm gave to me! The model has come on a very long way since then but it's very cool to see that it was getting a lot right back then.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Gun violence
imofmw's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
etherealkat's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lapoo99's review
2.0
What in the flying fuck did I just read. I can hang with magical realism like the best of them but this book made me feel mentally cross eyed.
elnaann1313's review
5.0
Read this review after you read the book!
The Past is Not Dead: Time and Race in Kiese Laymon’s “Long Division”
By Jason McCall
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-past-is-not-dead-time-and-race-in-kiese-laymons-long-division/#!
The Past is Not Dead: Time and Race in Kiese Laymon’s “Long Division”
By Jason McCall
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-past-is-not-dead-time-and-race-in-kiese-laymons-long-division/#!
angieoverbooked's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The audiobook is great - but following the timeline was challenging with this format.
Really enjoyed it overall!
Ratings
Quality of Writing 5/5
Plot Development 4/5
Character Development 4/5
Pacing 4/5
Overall Enjoyment 4/5
Really enjoyed it overall!
Ratings
Quality of Writing 5/5
Plot Development 4/5
Character Development 4/5
Pacing 4/5
Overall Enjoyment 4/5
egnolan's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely phenomenal. I have so many thoughts and questions that I want to discuss with other readers. Kiese Laymon has this ability to elicit such strong reactions - joy, guilt, shame, anger, laughter. Definitely a book I’m going to read more than once!