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This was a lot of fun, although at times I did feel a bit like I was watching someone show off with a clever wordplay performance. Quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. I mostly listened to the audiobook, and Amir Abdullah did a great job. His characterizations helped me appreciate the hilarious writing and conversations. This was the first of Everett's books that I've read. Next I think I'll try The Trees.

Wow, hopeful and eye-opening (and short!) science fiction. I read this after seeing it recommended in the New York Times Climate Forward newsletter. If you can't find the standalone version, it's also contained in The Year's Best Science Fiction, Vol. 1 (2020), which I was able to pick up at the library. Now I need to track down the audio version, which is read by Jason Isaacs.

I was not fully hooked until Part 2, but then it really took off and I became completely engaged. It's a harrowing story about some of the extreme effects of racism on the country in general and on one family specifically.

I was going to say that it was too easy to imagine some of the things depicted in the book happening in the U.S. - but then, of course (as addressed in the book), many of the awful things have already been part of our country's history for a long time.

The book is also a rumination on the power of art, e.g. exploring the ways in which some of Margaret's poetry takes on a life of its own and a meaning beyond what she initially intended when writing it. Further, it's an exciting adventure story, from the perspective of a 12-year-old boy.

A tough but important work, and I'm glad that I finally read it. Unflinching is the adjective that keeps popping into my head when I think about the story. It was interesting to read this recent (2022) Atlantic article about the book and its continuing relevance.