Who Would Like This Book:
If you love sharp satire, surreal humor, and witty commentary on race, media, and identity, this is your kind of book. Everett’s storytelling is unpredictable and loaded with clever wordplay, pop culture references, and wild plot twists. Readers who enjoy novels that play with literary conventions, as well as fans of absurdist, meta, and boundary-pushing fiction, will find a lot to savor here. If you like stories that make you laugh and think at the same time, you’re in for a treat.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you prefer straightforward narratives and neatly tied-up endings, this novel might frustrate you. Some found the humor repetitive or felt the story drifted without clear direction. The self-referential style and deliberately nonsensical moments aren’t for everyone, and a few readers thought the novel lost momentum or coherence, especially toward the end. This book isn’t for those looking for a conventional plot or constant clarity.
About:
'I Am Not Sidney Poitier' by Percival Everett is a humorous and thought-provoking novel that follows the life of a young man named Not Sidney Poitier. Not Sidney, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the actor Sidney Poitier, navigates through life with a mix of absurdity and existential profundity. From inheriting a fortune from his mother's investment to living in Ted Turner's mansion, Not Sidney's adventures take him on a journey of self-discovery and societal satire. The book cleverly explores themes of identity, race, and societal expectations through witty dialogue and surrealistic scenarios, all while maintaining a humorous tone.
The writing style of 'I Am Not Sidney Poitier' is praised for its sharp wit, clever wordplay, and humorous dialogue. The author, Percival Everett, skillfully weaves together comedy and depth, creating a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The book's unique blend of humor, satire, and social commentary makes it a compelling and enjoyable read for those looking for a novel that challenges conventions and delves into complex themes with a light-hearted approach.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include discussions of racial prejudice, classism, and the complexities of identity, which may be challenging for some readers.
From The Publisher:
I Am Not Sidney Poitier is an irresistible comic novel from the master storyteller Percival Everett, and an irreverent take on race, class, and identity in America
I was, in life, to be a gambler, a risk-taker, a swashbuckler, a knight. I accepted, then and there, my place in the world. I was a fighter of windmills. I was a chaser of whales. I was Not Sidney Poitier.
Not Sidney Poitier is an amiable young man in an absurd country. The sudden death of his mother orphans him at age eleven, leaving him with an unfortunate name, an uncanny resemblance to the famous actor, and, perhaps more fortunate, a staggering number of shares in the Turner Broadcasting Corporation.
Percival Everett's hilarious new novel follows Not Sidney's tumultuous life, as the social hierarchy scrambles to balance his skin color with his fabulous wealth. Maturing under the less-than watchful eye of his adopted foster father, Ted Turner, Not gets arrested in rural Georgia for driving while black, sparks a dinnertable explosion at the home of his manipulative girlfriend, and sleuths a murder case in Smut Eye, Alabama, all while navigating the recurrent communication problem: "What's your name?" a kid would ask. "Not Sidney," I would say. "Okay, then what is it?"
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I Am Not Sidney Poitier?
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