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Lisa (NY)'s Reviews > White Tears

White Tears by Hari Kunzru
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really liked it
bookshelves: audiobook, 2021-tbr-shelf

[4+] Two music-obsessed white friends, one wealthy and hip, the other poor and nerdy, fake a blues recording - and then things get weird. The novel becomes a twisty journey about the consequences of cultural appropriation, racism and greed. As the novel progresses, the action becomes less linear -sometimes the present dissolves and boundaries between time periods become loose and fluid. I wasn't always sure if we were in the past or present or somewhere in between. The burden of history is everywhere.

What an ending! I don't think I'll ever get this book out of my mind. I am so excited to have "discovered" Kunzru - and am already plotting which of his novels I will read next!
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Reading Progress

April 8, 2021 – Shelved
April 8, 2021 – Shelved as: audiobook
April 8, 2021 – Shelved as: 2021-tbr-shelf
April 12, 2021 – Started Reading
April 12, 2021 – Finished Reading

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Comments Showing 1-20 of 20 (20 new)

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message 1: by Jenna (new)
Apr 12, 2021 02:27PM

Jenna ❤ ❀ ❤ Ooh, you've got me excited about this one, Lisa! I loved Kunzru's Red Pill and want to read all of his books. Glad you discovered him too!


message 2: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 12, 2021 04:23PM

Lisa (NY) Yes! Maybe I'll read Red Pill next..


message 3: by Bianca (GR, we want notifications, pls! ) (new)
Apr 13, 2021 01:43AM

Bianca (GR, we want notifications, pls! ) Consider me intrigued. Adding yet another book ... sigh


message 4: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 13, 2021 03:16AM

Lisa (NY) Bianca wrote: "Consider me intrigued. Adding yet another book ... sigh"
😊


message 5: by Judith (new)
Apr 13, 2021 03:57AM

Judith E Sounds confusing but good.


message 6: by Debbie (new) - added it
Apr 13, 2021 04:25AM

Debbie You did it again—knocked my TBR pile over. Thanks a lot! Seriously, great review. Must check this one out!


message 7: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 13, 2021 04:41AM

Lisa (NY) Judith wrote: "Sounds confusing but good."Yes, confusing in a good way - it is one of those novels that I can't stop thinking about...


message 8: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 13, 2021 04:42AM

Lisa (NY) Debbie wrote: "You did it again—knocked my TBR pile over. Thanks a lot! Seriously, great review. Must check this one out!"Sorry Debbie - my TBR pile isn't even a pile - it is a mountain.


message 9: by Candi (new) - added it
Apr 13, 2021 05:10AM

Candi Like Bianca, I'm too intrigued to resist! Great review, Lisa :)


message 10: by Anne (new)
Apr 13, 2021 06:36AM

Anne Fabulous review, Lisa. I like others on this thread are intrigued.


message 11: by Barbara (new)
Apr 13, 2021 07:08AM

Barbara darn! Now I have to add this to my every growing TBR pile. You provide a motivating review!


message 12: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 13, 2021 07:15AM

Lisa (NY) Candi wrote: "Like Bianca, I'm too intrigued to resist! Great review, Lisa :)"I hope you end up reading and enjoying it Candi!


message 13: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 13, 2021 07:15AM

Lisa (NY) Barbara wrote: "darn! Now I have to add this to my every growing TBR pile. You provide a motivating review!" Thanks Barbara!


message 14: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 13, 2021 07:15AM

Lisa (NY) Anne (on semi-hiatus) wrote: "Fabulous review, Lisa. I like others on this thread are intrigued." Thanks Anne.


message 15: by Richard (on hiatus) (new)
Apr 14, 2021 11:26AM

Richard (on hiatus) I got really excited when I read Kunzru’s Gods Without Men. Brilliant book! Couldn’t wait to read White Tears, but found that the kindle version was still at hardcover price (on Amazon.U.K)
That was years ago ........ just checked again, still the same! So irritating - I’ve a good mind to call Hari! :)


message 16: by Bradley (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 14, 2021 11:31AM

Bradley Great review. You capture the obscurity of time in this novel perfectly. I remember flying through this until the final 100 pages or so and then needing to sharpen my focus as Kunzru toggled between narratives. I love your line..."and then things get weird" boy do they. Great review.


message 17: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 14, 2021 05:11PM

Lisa (NY) Richard wrote: "I got really excited when I read Kunzru’s Gods Without Men. Brilliant book! Couldn’t wait to read White Tears, but found that the kindle version was still at hardcover price (on Amazon.U.K)
That wa..."Richard, I'll definitely add "Gods Without Men" to my list. Do you just read Kindle? I found my copy used online.


message 18: by Lisa (NY) (new) - rated it 4 stars
Apr 14, 2021 05:11PM

Lisa (NY) Bradley wrote: "Great review. You capture the obscurity of time in this novel perfectly. I remember flying through this until the final 100 pages or so and then needing to sharpen my focus as Kunzru toggled betwee..."Thanks Bradley!


message 19: by Richard (on hiatus) (new)
Apr 15, 2021 01:06AM

Richard (on hiatus) Lisa wrote: "Richard wrote: "I got really excited when I read Kunzru’s Gods Without Men. Brilliant book! Couldn’t wait to read White Tears, but found that the kindle version was still at hardcover price (on Ama..."

At the moment I do read mainly on the kindle - I like the changeable font size and backlight etc but maybe I’ll do as you suggest :)


message 20: by Libby (new)
Apr 16, 2021 07:09PM

Libby This is an author I don't know, but this book sounds like one I don't want to miss. I've added it to my TBR list. Great review, Lisa :-)


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