It's always a surprise when a Pulitzer Prize winner can write genre fiction as well (though certainly Whitehead's two Pulitizer Prize winning novels are more accessible than many). Whitehead's Harlem Shuffle is a crime/heist novel, set in 1960s Harlem. It feels a little noir/a little historical fiction/a little classic examination of race in America. Whitehead's protagonist Ray Carney is a likeable family man with some success as the owner of a furnitue store...but this is not enough to satisfy the dreams he has for his family. Carney's involvement in a hotel heist may provide the upward mobilitiy he wants for them, but it also sets up a series of fortunate and unfortunate events. This is an interesting and fun read.

I love Colson Whitehead and I love that all of his books are very different. This one, however, was not one of my favorites. The story did not capture me but it was still very well written, the setting always so real and engrossing.

If you like Colson Whitehead's meaty writing style, give this one a try. It's very descriptive and made me feel like I was following people around in an old movie set in Harlem. I wouldn't call it fast-paced or actually a thriller, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a read!

The reader is transported into 1960s Harlem, meeting intriguing characters and situations that they won't forget.

I had a hard time getting into this one. The writing was extremely excellent and I think if stuck it out I may enjoy it. I will hopefully revisit it one day. 3 stars for the writing!

As with any Colson Whitehead, I got what I went in for. A complex, multilayered, beautifully written novel. And I got that. Beyond that, I went in blind. And I am so glad I did. This novel reflected the realities of the crime in Harlem, but it also delved into the changes of their culture throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s. It was stunningly crafted.

I had high hopes for this, but it ended up not being what I expected and put it down about halfway through.

I've read most of Mr. Whitehead's work and enjoyed most of it. This was not his strongest outing in my opinion. The story as a whole was slow paced and doubled-back on itself one too many times. By the end I thought, what was the point of that?

This was an interesting story, about a man who owns a shop where he sells items that aren't stolen but shouldn't be looked at too quickly. Everything is priced to sell and sell quick. I liked learning about his life and the times he lived in. I found his relationships and his tightrope walk of running a good business but also making enough money to live. I found the story easy to slide in to, as he got cornered in to joining this group that just kept getting shadier and shadier. This was well written but not a page turner. I didn't find much of a mystery, just an interesting story. I liked it, didn't love it.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I wish I had liked this better than I actually did. On paper, it really grabbed me as I’m obsessed with the 60’s and all the cultural, political and historical happenings of that time period. Unfortunately, this book was just okay for me. I never did connect with any of the characters and it took me a while to stop putting it down every few pages. The second half definitely picked up and I ended up glad I stuck with it. **Thanks to NetGalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.**

This novel is set in the 196os with a family in a small apartment. The protagonist, Ray, balances the edge between his "good" side and his "darker" (but more lucrative) side.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. While I love Whitehead's other novels, I, unfortunately, had a hard time getting into this one and put it aside at about 10% in. This could very well be a case of wrong time, as I started the book at 9 months pregnant and my attention span was not great. I hope to be able to pick this up again in the future.

Ray Carney is a Harlem furniture owner who tries to do business legitimately, but accepts goods from questionable characters, When his contacts bring him into the dangerous underworld, he must figure out how to resolve the situations he finds himself during Harlem in the late 50s/early 60s (i.e., protests, riots). This book shares a lot about the history of Harlem. Even though it is not my typical genre, I did appreciate the writing and could picture the time period.

The description had a lot of promise for me but the storyline was all together too complicated for me to follow along.

This is a beautifully crafted multilayered historical fiction piece that I found to be completely un-put-downable. I love historical fiction and especially loved the time period of this book. I found it completely engaging! Thus far, Colson Whitehead has never let me down and I don't anticipate he ever will. A beautiful, must-read read!

I am a firm lover of Colson Whitehead's writing and books. Having read, and given both, Underground Railroad and Nickle Boys 4 stars each, I waited impatiently for Harlem Shuffle to go to print. I got the book and started it quickly after receiving it. However, I was unable to get into the flow of the book at that time, so thinking it was me, I put it back on the shelf to attack at a later date. That later date is now...

I did read the book this time, but did not find it as compelling as the other two I have read. It took me a long time to settle into this book. I believe that I was just expecting more from the story than what I was given.

A black man in Harlem in the 1960's was trying to make a good living for his family. He came from a downtrodden family, some of whom had gone to the opposite side of the law to make their living. He was willing to fence some small articles through his upright business for his family - once in a great while. Until his cousin offers his assistance as a fence for a big robbery. Now he is torn - stay legitimate and working hard for his money or turn to easy money and a shadier existence? How much influence does family have? Now he knows the dirty cops, has had the underworld opened up to him. Where does his morality lay?

Family influence, race, poverty and social power play a big part in this novel. It is all veiled within the family dynamic as the city of Harlem is exposed for what it was in the 1960's.

Tried to start this book so many times and just couldn’t ever make any headway. The writing is really good, to no one’s surprise, but this book is not for me.

Colson Whitehead is a writing god. I had just finished The Underground Railroad when I saw this available on Netgalley. It's got an incredible set of characters. Admittedly it drags a little bit and isn't as intriguing as either TUG or Nickel Boys, I still recommend it highly!

Harlem shuffle
If you asked his neighbors and businessmen in Harlem, he was an upstanding furniture salesman. But “Ray Carney was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked…”.
In Harlem Shuffle we follow Carney as he establishes and grows a hometown furniture store in Harlem. The only problem seems to be his cousin, who delivers a few pieces of jewelry or some TVs of dubious origins for Carney to fence. As Carney’s legitimate business grows, so does the side business. The only question is: Will he be able to outwit and outlive the shady underworld in which he lives? The latest book from two time Pulitzer Prize winner, Colton Whitehead, does not disappoint.

This was a great read and so different from Whitehead’s recent offerings. It was fun to be back in a genre-centric world and see Whitehead plying his trade as he knows best. This book is full of sly references that will delight New Yorkers and heavy son a noir feel that will intrigue even those who haven’t made it the Big Apple. The sensitive portrait of a protagonist trying to make his way and stay on the right side of morality while supporting his family will win over even the hardest hearts. And the multiple settings will enthrall even casual readers.