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Erasure

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001

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Book Brief

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Percival Everett

Erasure

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001
Book Details
Pages

280

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • Contemporary

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Erasure by Percival Everett, Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a frustrated African American author, writes an exaggerated, stereotypical novel under a pseudonym to protest the publishing industry's narrow expectations of Black literature. However, the novel's success forces Monk to confront societal racism and his own complicity, leading to a complex exploration of identity and artistic integrity. The novel discusses racism, violence, and suicide.

Dark

Challenging

Humorous

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.3

22,456 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Erasure by Percival Everett is praised for its sharp satire and thought-provoking exploration of racial and cultural identity. Critics appreciate Everett's clever narrative and complex characters. However, some find its layered storytelling challenging. Overall, the novel is admired for its bold commentary and inventive prose, despite its occasional intricacies.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Erasure?

A reader who would enjoy Percival Everett's Erasure appreciates satire and biting social commentary. Fans of Paul Beatty's The Sellout or Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man would find this novel's critique of racial stereotypes and the publishing industry's commodification of Black experiences compelling and thought-provoking.

4.3

22,456 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

280

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • Contemporary

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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