Tuesday, November 10, 2009

REVIEW: Slumberland, by Paul Beatty

Slumberland, by Paul Beatty. Published 2008 by Bloomsbury. Literary Fiction.

I read Slumberland courtesy of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.

Slumberland, by Paul Beatty, is a lively, vibrant cracking good read about an African American disk jockey called DJ Darky, who finds what he believes is the perfect beat, a piece of music so moving and evocative and perfect that he is compelled to search out its composer in newly reunified Germany. Along the way he meets friends and lovers, explores issues of race and identity in both Europe and America, and shares his love of music through his energetic prose.

Definitely what I'd call a character- and language-driven book, the slight plot bounces along on Beatty's elastic, creative and oftentimes raunchy language. The graphic sex and drug references start on page 1 and don't let up- this isn't a book for Puritans. The language carries the story of DJ Darky's search for Charles Stone, composer of a piece of music Darky finds on a porn video, as he traverses post-reunification Germany with an assortment of characters including a needy girlfriend, an ex-Stasi agent with an unhealthy fondness for poultry and a pair of black German sisters likewise struggling to come to terms with race and identity.

But it's not all serious. Believe me, it's not. Beatty's sense of humor infects every aspect of the storytelling. Take his reflection on German culture and mores:
German bars don't have happy hours. They have hubris hours. There is no designated time for hubris hour. It happens unexpectedly and without warning. The bartender doesn't ring a bell at five P.M., announce that for the next two hours drinks are two for one, and that sage advice and unmitigated superciliousness are on the house.
And trust me, sarcasm like that doesn't even begin to cover it. I can't even get into some of the stuff that goes on in Slumberland. It's a fantastic, addictive read that will carry you along with its musical, vibrant language, engaging setting and eccentric characters. Visit Slumberland for yourself and see what I mean.

Rating: BUY

9 comments:

bermudaonion said...

Wow, that sounds like a great, page-turner that would give you a lot to talk about.

rhapsodyinbooks said...

I love intelligent books. I have to get this! I find that LibraryThing just has the best review books.

Marie Cloutier said...

Kathy and Jill, I think you both would really love it!

Anonymous said...

I've seen this in the stores. I can't wait until I am moved so I can buy it and read it. I've been feeling book deprived the past week or so. LOL. Not buying books is taking its toll on me. LOL. I couldn't justify buying, and adding more to the things to pack.

Zibilee said...

From just the synopsis it doesn't sound like a book I would like, but your reaction and the quote you posted make me hesitate. I think I'd like to explore this book a little further and see if it would be a good fit for me. Very intriguing review, I am glad you loved it!

Bryan R. Terry said...

I love Paul Beatty's stuff. White Boy Shuffle was brilliant. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

ImageNations said...

Talk about German identity and Afro-Germans and I would give you May Ayim. An Afro-German who couldn't place herself and died from suicide. She was a poet and many more. I trust your judgements on good books...

Blodeuedd said...

Sounds interesting. Nice review, I could perhaps handle it

S. Krishna said...

This book sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for the review!