The Intuitionist: A Novel Audiobook

" This is the first Colson Whitehead that I've read and I'm in love with his writing - the way he packs hidden descriptions into a few words. The books can be confusing to read in small bursts, best to sit and read a chunk at a time because he moves between time periods, I found this one to be a fascinating study of race, politics (office and otherwise), gender, and has a sort of " solve the mystery before you get to the end" element to it. "

" Is this one of those books that I'm going to dislike at first but then years later figure out that it was totally amazing but I was missing too many things? That's sort of what it feels like. But today all I can say is that I didn't really enjoy reading this mystery novel about elevator inspectors in the dangerous city. I know it's not supposed to be literal- it's really a big racial allegory, right? But the elevator talk was still too much for me. "

" Once I learned that this book might be categorized as speculative fiction, it sat well in my mind and got a little easier to read. Yet, I must say that I did not get used to his writing style. As a mystery story, everything started come together after 200 pages. I needed quite patience to stay with this book till reaching 200 page or so. "

" This book bored the pants off of me. The idea was sort of clever, but I think it could have been a short story in a magazine. Yes, I think I understand what it's about (how we see the world/race relations & I'm not denigrating the importance of those things - my opinion is just about this book. I'm missing the bit of intelligence, I think, that might have allowed me to like this (just the way that I fail to appreciate Time's Arrow or The Mezzanine). "

" Most people probably prefer his other books but this is my favorite. I like it more than Apex Hides The Hurt or the other one of which the name escapes me. "

" This is an amazing book by an amazing author. Truly one of the best works of fiction I have read, and the stunning point about it is that the work is based on being an elevator inspector. Whitehead's ability to take a profession that is not thought of very much and weave such an intricate story through his character is just wonderful. A must read. "

" I would have liked this more, if I had been able to get over the fact that it was about elevators. That probably makes me really immature. Or something. "

" Library book group, June 2011 "

" This book offered an interesting perspective on some age old philosophical topics. Reason vs. Emotion, Perception vs. Truth both appear as main topics in this surprisingly good read. "

" Of course I liked that it was a story about elevators (although that wasn't really what it was "about"). Very thought provoking. The author is a good story-teller as well. I look forward to reading other books of his. "

" So taught, so strong, so quick and such a surprisingly strong story about race. And a highly creative universe to fashion the world of the elevator inspector. "

" Using the idea of elevators as a platform for discussing not only race but society and personal identity is interesting. "

" Although The Colossus of New York is one of my favorite books of all time, this one didn't grab me. There is only so much I want or need to know about the politics of the elevator industry. "

" Impressive debut. I do prefer my postmodernism these days to be a bit more Vonnegut and less Pynchon (more of the humor, less of the paranoia). "

" A superbly executed allegory--at once haunting and hilarious. Who knew that the world of elevator inspection could be so full of intrigue? "

" One of my favorites, and I can't even really tell you why. "

" I was excited by the beginning, the main character and the clash of elevator repair ideology, and the Melville homage in the discussion of elevator history; nonetheless it faded quietly after a strong beginning. "

" truly really excellent and worth seeking out his other books. "

" If Thomas Pynchon were interested in critical race studies. Wonderful both for its ideas and its narrative. "

" Loved this! So subtle and multi-layered and intelligent and such great use of language. Also very funny. in a very reticent way. "