Blackass: A Novel by Igoni Barrett – An Insightful and Engaging Read!

“Blackass: A Novel by Igoni Barrett is a powerful and insightful read that will take you into the lives of a group of Nigerians living in Lagos. The novel explores themes of identity, race, and culture in an engaging and thought-provoking way. The story follows Furo Wariboko, a young man who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into an albino version of himself. With his physical transformation comes a spiritual and emotional journey as he struggles to come to terms with his new identity. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters from different backgrounds who challenge him to think critically about his life choices and experiences.

The writing is sharp and witty, with moments of humor and poignancy throughout. Barrett’s descriptive prose paints vivid pictures of the bustling city of Lagos, its people, and their stories. He also captures the nuances of Nigerian culture in a way that feels both authentic and accessible. Overall, Blackass: A Novel is an engaging exploration of identity in contemporary Nigeria.

Blackass: A Novel Review

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Blackass: A Novel is a captivating and thought-provoking story by Nigerian author Igoni Barrett. This novel follows the main character Furo Wariboko, who wakes up from an afternoon nap to find he has become white. He must now face the struggles of his new life in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, as well as the challenges of his own identity. Written with wit and insight, Blackass is a stunning exploration of race and identity that will leave readers grappling with its powerful themes long after they’ve put it down.

Key Features:

  • An exploration of race and identity: With thought-provoking themes around race and identity, Blackass is sure to leave readers contemplating its powerful messages.
  • A captivating read: Barrett’s narrative style keeps readers engaged throughout the story, making it a page-turner until the very end.
  • Set in Lagos, Nigeria: This novel provides a vivid glimpse into the culture of Lagos, one of Africa’s most populous cities.
  • Written with wit and insight: Barrett brings his unique sense of humor to this novel, adding depth and complexity to this already compelling story.

Product Details

Title Author Publisher
Blackass: A Novel Igoni Barrett Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date Language Format
April 12, 2016 English eBook Kindle
Product Dimensions:
5.2 x 0.7 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight:
9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Blackass: A Novel Pros and Cons

1. Pros:
Blackass: A Novel is an innovative and thought-provoking novel by Nigerian author Igoni Barrett. It follows the story of Furo Wariboko, a young Nigerian man who wakes up one morning to find his skin has turned white overnight. This transformation causes him to question his identity and the role he plays in society. The novel is full of wit and insight, exploring themes of race, identity, and belonging. The characters are well-developed and the writing is clever and engaging.

2. Cons:
One possible con of Blackass: A Novel could be its length; at 368 pages, it may be too long for some readers. Additionally, some might feel the ending is abrupt or unsatisfying. Despite these potential drawbacks, however, Blackass remains a unique and powerful work that will leave readers with plenty of thought-provoking questions about race, identity, and belonging.

Who are They for

Blackass: A Novel by Igoni Barrett is an explosive and mesmerizing novel that explores the depths of identity, race, gender, and power. In this unpredictable and often humorous story, Furo Wariboko wakes up white in a society where skin color determines your place in the world. His transformation leads him on a journey of self-discovery as he navigates his newfound privilege while grappling with family, friends, and strangers who are suspicious of his change. Blackass is a powerful exploration of race, identity, and belonging, set against the backdrop of contemporary Nigeria.

Furo’s transformation is both bizarre and intriguing as he learns how to navigate through life as a white man in Lagos. He is forced to confront his own prejudices against others while also having to grapple with their biases toward him. The novel is filled with sharp observations about Nigerian society that shed light on issues such as gender inequality, class privilege, racism, and intersectionality. Barrett’s inventive storytelling style draws the reader into Furo’s experience as he grapples with questions about what it means to be black or white, rich or poor, male or female.

The book is full of colorful characters that bring out the different aspects of Nigerian life—from corrupt politicians to street hustlers—and offers insight into the complex dynamics between people from different backgrounds. With its sharp wit and incisive social commentary, Blackass is an engaging read that will leave readers questioning their own understanding of race and identity.

My Experience for Blackass: A Novel

Lloyd Kaufman

I was walking through the city when I saw something that made me stop in my tracks. It was Blackass: A Novel, the latest from Igoni Barrett. I had heard good things about this book, but I wasn’t sure if it was for me. But after looking at the cover and reading a few reviews, I decided to give it a try.

So, I bought Blackass and settled down with a cup of coffee in my favorite armchair. What followed next was an unforgettable experience! The story follows Furo Wariboko, an unemployed Nigerian man who wakes up one morning to find his skin has turned white. With no job and no prospects, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, discovering what it means to be black in a world that is so often defined by race.

The novel is full of humor and wit, but also tackles some serious issues such as identity, race relations, and class struggles. As Furo navigates his way through his new life as a white man, he discovers courage and strength that he never knew he had. It’s an inspiring story that will make you laugh, cry, and think deeply about our shared humanity.

If you’re looking for an uplifting and thought-provoking read then look no further than Blackass: A Novel. This book is truly one-of-a-kind and will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

 

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:
1. Contains strong language and explicit content that some readers may find offensive
2. Explores themes of alienation and racism in a modern Nigerian setting
3. May be difficult to understand for those unfamiliar with the cultural context
4. Narrator’s stream-of-consciousness style can be distracting or disorienting at times
5. The ending is somewhat abrupt and unresolved
6. Some readers may find the title off-putting

How to Create an Impactful Story with Blackass: A Novel

Do you want to make your novel a hit? With Blackass: A Novel, Igoni Barrett will show you how to create an impactful story. This powerful book is full of ideas and techniques that can help you craft a gripping story that will leave readers wanting more.

The novel follows Furo Wariboko, a man from Lagos, Nigeria who wakes up one day to find his skin color has changed from black to white overnight. As he deals with the shock of this transformation and its implications for his identity, career, family, and life in general, Furo must confront some hard truths about himself and the society he lives in. Through this narrative, Barrett examines themes of race, identity, and culture in contemporary Nigeria.

One of the best ways to create an impactful story is through effective character development. Blackass: A Novel provides plenty of examples of well-rounded characters that readers can relate to. Furo is a complex protagonist whose inner struggles are explored in great detail throughout the book. He must grapple with his own conflicting emotions as he experiences rejection from both sides of the racial divide. Likewise, the other characters have their own motivations and personalities that drive their actions. The combination of these fascinating characters creates an engaging story that will keep readers captivated until the end.

In addition to building believable characters, it’s also important to use meaningful dialogue throughout your story. In Blackass: A Novel, there are several poignant conversations between Furo and other characters that highlight key themes such as racism and identity. These conversations often take unexpected turns, creating tension and drama that make the story even more compelling. By using dialogue effectively in your own writing, you can bring your characters’ stories to life and create a memorable narrative.

Finally, pay attention to how you structure your plot. In Blackass: A Novel, Barrett masterfully weaves together various subplots into an overarching narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. His writing has a natural flow that makes it easy to follow along as events unfold throughout the book. When constructing your own plot, try thinking about it like a puzzle—each piece needs to fit together perfectly in order for the overall story to be satisfying for readers.

By taking cues from Blackass: A Novel, you too can craft an impactful story that readers won’t forget!

Questions about Blackass: A Novel

 

What is Blackass: A Novel?

Blackass: A Novel is a darkly comic exploration of identity by Nigerian author Igoni Barrett. The novel follows the story of Furo Wariboko, a young Nigerian man who wakes up one morning to discover he has turned entirely white. He must confront the implications of his new identity in an ever-more-complicated world of race, privilege, and power.

How does Blackass: A Novel explore identity?

Blackass: A Novel explores how identity is shaped by both biology and culture. Through Furo’s transformation from black to white, the novel examines how our identities can be both empowering and limiting – for better or for worse. It also looks at the ways in which race, class, and gender intersect to create complex layers of identity that can be difficult to navigate.

Who should read Blackass: A Novel?

Blackass: A Novel is a great read for anyone interested in exploring questions of identity, race, and privilege. It is particularly relevant for readers who are curious about what it means to live in a globalized world where identities often feel fluid and ever-changing. Additionally, fans of Igoni Barrett’s previous works will find this novel to be an engaging continuation of his unique writing style.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.

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