Pym Audiobook

" The author is trying to talk about racism and enslavement in a fantasy gone bizarre. Wish I had put it down after the first hour like I wanted to. "

" I debated adding a shelf labelled "Racism" because that is one of the recurring themes of this fascinating novel, one of three "sequels" to Poe's problematic "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym." Johnson uses the frame of Poe's novel to structure his consideration of whiteness, racism and slavery. I found it thoughtful, relevant and insightful. "

" The opening chapters set the bar very, very high - then absurdity strikes like a fever dream. "

" A fascinating comment on/conversation with Poe's legendary work. Also an in-depth treatment/send-up of race, via an old-school adventure tale on arctic ice, complete with freaky-large snow-creatures. "

" Such a strange little book, at times laugh-out-loud funny and at other times just plain weird. I'm not sure I understood half of what was going on - maybe reading the Poe story would help - but I did enjoy the ride. "

" An interesting meditation on the implications of race in America and history. Some of the more fantastical elements may not be for all tastes, but I found it to be a rather rollicking change of pace from the norm. "

" Starts good. Then it's great. Later it lags. And lags. And lags. Gets sloppy. Gets sloppier. Gets interesting again near the end. Then it ends. I wish the last 270 pages were as good as the first 50. "

" Pretty strange--goes to places you wouldn't even imagine at the start of the book. Definitely Sci-fi. "

" The end of this clever piece kind of falls apart, just like Poe's original, but I guess that's exactly the point (?). "

" This book is a mess. I had high hopes, based on the description. The only clever, interesting parts were the footnotes. Bah. "

" Loved the way this guy's voice sounded in my head. I would not have expected such a thoughtful action movie from this. "

" I did enjoy this angry Black man story. I think I may be one too. I get pissed off about the same things this character does when it comes to academia. "

" The description of Pym in the rave from the Onion A/V Club made me want to read this. I highly recommend it if you like satire, maybe especially if you like Vonnegut. "

" This is a fabulous nerdy adventure tale much in the same vein as Foucault's Pendulum and The Calcutta Chromosome--and funny to boot. As a fellow black novelist, Mat Johnson indeed gives me hope. "

" Still processing this. It is really unique and maybe tries a little too hard at times. But all in all an interesting approach to discussing the history of racism. "

" Started out quite well, but I lost interest about half-way through and couldn't get myself to finish it. "

" Very creative intense, insane novel. Can't wait to read this author again. "

" This started as a wicked satire, veered into fantasy, stumbled into a hot mess, then pulled itself back into shape at the very end. A little disappointing after the high bar set by the early chapters, but I can see the potential in the author and plan to check out more of his work in the future. "

" Excellent book. Subversively funny and truthful. "

" Good for a literature freak. I liked the atmosphere. A little too preachy in some sections. "

" very clever, but I found it somewhat boring. "

" Ridiculously clever. One of the funniest, smartest novels I've read in decades. Johnson takes on race, literary criticism, contemporary culture, and the politics of academe in a Poe-drenched piece of social satire worthy of Swift. Fire up the grill and let's roast us up some Tekelians. "

" This book was an absolute blast. Narratively, Pym resst somewhere between Chabon and Diaz and it was an absolute pleasure to read. And on top of all that, there are gears and symbols and allegory resting just beneath the surface. "

" Adventure, humor, satire... a very entertaining look at Race. The serious side is lurking beneath the surface, but not too overbearing. If the beginning weren't so slow and academic it would be a five star. "

" A surprisingly good, sad, funny book. Don't worry about never reading Poe's Pym, not needed, he'll give the synopsis early on. I find it very hard to explain this book, science fiction, I guess, but oh my what a ride. I was sorry it ended. "

" This book started out pretty slow and I wasn't sure that I liked it very much. However, about 1/4 of the way in, it got interesting and the adventure started. I enjoyed the comparison and similarity to Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket". "