Man Gone Down Audiobook

" I really wanted to enjoy this book about an adjunct instructor-turned- construction worker whose interracial marriage is falling apart, but the mopey narrator kept making such stupid decisions that I quickly lost sympathy for him. "

" I can't believe I have finally finished this book. Thomas's narrative of African-American experience in contemporary America and the details of our culture's complex relationship with race might have been extremely powerful if the prose wasn't so indulgent. I may be overly critical because it was such a slow read. "

" good read with solid character development. main character is angry and neurotic but compelling. "

" Didn't think this was very well written. Pretty jumpy. Some interesting imagery and characters, but the narrative was lacking. "

" Whatta talented author- a beautiful debut, not perfect in its retelling of a man drowning with the heaviness of his past, but very, very good. It gets a little lost towards the end, but so is the protagonist, so perhaps this is one to re-read. Such a great writer. "

" "Man Gone Down" is an soulfully written novel about an anonymous black man who can't afford to take care of his interracial family. As eloquent as this story is, and as much as I wanted to like it, I found myself bored. Perhaps the most touching aspect of the book is how he describes his two sons, one tan with blonde hair and blue eyes, the other toffee colored and more noticably black. However, for most of the book the narrator rambles on in a self effacing fashion that screams "LOSER" from every page. Yet and still, the book is beautiful however flawed. "

" The writing style was good but the plot dragged. The main character is racially mixed and married to a Caucasian female. Their marriage is on the rocks and he has moved out of the house. The book is about the main character reflecting on his past and the disappointments in his life. With no real ambition for the future he meanders throughout his life. The author attempts to make you feel sorry for the main character. I guess because he is part African American. I didn't buy it. I never felt sorry or blue for the character at all. In fact, I wanted to kick him in the ass to get him going. I felt like the main character was the cause of most of his problems because he never really shows any gumption or drive to do better. He has several reasons he feels that his life has been somewhat of a disappointment, but the biggest reason is himself. The main characters problems are no bigger than any other everyday Americans. Welcome to life son. "

" I wanted so badly to like this book. I didn't. "

" I felt that I just had to write my own book after this. "

" Loved the premise but found the book to be mildly condescending to women. "

" This is a good, if not a little long and a little overly academic book about the role of race in America. It's got a lot going for it but not one just to rush through. Recommended. "

" A worthwhile addition to the ongoing dialog on race in America. "

" I'm not really sure where I get off rating this since I did not finish it. I got to page 100 and the whole thing just seemed like a chore. Still, consider two stars to be something around "did not like, do not hate." "

" A really phenomenal book and a great companion piece to Go Tell It On The Mountain which I just read. A poetic examination of race and class in New York and Boston in the 21st century. "

" Good stuff on race relations in the present day, but book took place over 4 or 5 days and was a lotta pages! "

" Bit of a slow boil but this is a fine novel. Painful account of a man confronting abuses of his past, his interracial marriage, and where to turn next. Hope to see more from this writer. "

" Excellent, excellent, excellent. Just, excellent. "

" Read this last summer. First novel from a pretty powerful writer. Its depressing. Sometimes maddening. But it tackles some tough interracial American Dream issues. Like it a lot. "

" This book tells the story of a young writer of mixed race who is struggling. A lot. It's important but not easy to read. "

" intriguing book, though narrator was frustrating and frustrated... made you want to climb in and shake him and make changes in his life. "

" I am kind of surprised I finished this book. It is awfully whiny and there really isn't plot. I don't recommend it. "

" What if Ralph Ellison was a whiny asshole? "

" Got bogged down in way too much detail, told with some kind of agenda. Made me walk around Brooklyn, neighborhoods of which are described throughout the book, with a suspicious eye. "

" Couldn't really get into it...pace was a little slow. "