49 pages • 1 hour read
Kiese LaymonA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
276
Novel • Fiction
Mississippi • 2010s
2021
YA
18+ years
In Kiese Laymon's Long Division, 14-year-old Citoyen "City" Coldson is sent to Melahatchie, Mississippi, after a controversial speech during a national televised word contest. There, he discovers a peculiar book also called Long Division, whose characters share names with people in his life. With his rival LaVander Peeler, City ventures into a time-traveling hole in the woods to solve family mysteries and find missing girl Baize Shephard while grappling with themes of race, media influence, and intergenerational trauma. The story is set across 1964, 1985, and 2013 in Jackson and Melahatchie, Mississippi. The book addresses racism, anti-gay bias, antisemitism, the loss of a child, and domestic abuse.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Humorous
Emotional
8,570 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Long Division by Kiese Laymon is praised for its inventive narrative and unique structure, blending elements of time travel and social commentary. Reviews commend Laymon's exploration of race and identity, though some find the complex plot challenging. Overall, it is celebrated for its bold storytelling and thought-provoking themes, despite occasional confusion.
Readers who would enjoy Kiese Laymon’s Long Division are likely fans of works that explore complex racial issues, coming-of-age narratives, and time travel. They might also appreciate books like Colson Whitehead's The Underground Railroad and Jesmyn Ward's Sing, Unburied, Sing for their blend of historical context and rich storytelling.
8,570 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
276
Novel • Fiction
Mississippi • 2010s
2021
YA
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.