Don't Know How I Feel About This One...

Would you try another book from Kevin Morris and/or the narrators?

No

Any additional comments?

I got this book because Audible was hyping it so much, the free sample seemed like it was going somewhere, there were famous narrators, and - of course - the title is very provocative.
Then I read the whole thing so that I could give a fully informed opinion:

1. The book is not "crazy racist." That's what I searched the summary and reviews for before even getting it and nothing seemed to address this point. While there are racial slurs used and minority characters that don't receive the best of treatment, these are always in the context of giving an honest portrayal of protagonist. In other words, you can go ahead and get this book without worrying that your money is secretly going to the Klan or anything.

2. The book (probably) isn't an attempt to actually explore Euro American culture or to create awareness that everyone's suffering matters (what may be a small thing to one person is a big thing to another - regardless of anyone's race). This is really disappointing to me (I do believe that everyone matters and that we aren't going to deal with the issue of race in the US until we all acknowledge that Euro Americans do have a culture and are capable of experiencing hardship, etc - it's part of a larger conversation that needs to be had).

3. The book isn't making light of actual problems that Euro Americans can encounter. The stories often touch on the loss (death, illness, divorce) of loved ones, depression / work-life balance, etc. So Euro Americans can also feel free to get this book without worrying that it's an attack on your very real problems or anything.

So what is the book...?
A series of short stories that Morris somehow got famous people to narrate. All have White male protagonists. Most of these protagonists grow up in the 70s. There's also a motif of true belief in Christianity of various denominations. Most of the men are relatively well-to-do businessmen / lawyers.

I can't lie - you can tell this is a self publish / no editor collection because every story in the collection needs some polishing. With some edits, they could have been a lot more entertaining and powerful. Period. In fact, some leave you asking questions - in a bad way. Morris employs a type of "magical realism" (like you'd find a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel) at one point and... he just shouldn't have. Some, you have no clue why he titled them the way he did or where he was going or why he stopped where he did.

This said, there's a couple of interesting stories. (I'm trying to avoid spoilers) I enjoyed the one about holding a girl's hand, the one about Mike, the one about the wife who had a stroke and is deaf, the one about that poor dog... if you read it, you'll figure out the ones I'm talking about. Each one has an aspect that makes it particularly charming - if still troubled by a lack of editing.

Going in (because of the title) I expected this book to have some kind of agenda. It seems like it wants to express something - but I still don't know quite what. It's a bunch of stories. It's worth reading once, but I'm honestly probably going to return it (not worth re-reading).


***

I happen to be a minority in multiple ways. Reading this was honestly kind of a painful experience. This wasn't because of who the protagonists were, but because it reminded me that I have never had access to the kinds of jobs those protagonists have. I am a skilled, college educated person, but my parents didn't have the money to put me in a good college or to make the kinds of friends who could hook me up with one of those jobs. I didn't have powerful friends because the kind of guys who could get me those types of jobs (the guys who are the protagonists of these stories) don't make friends with young minorities and offer them the jobs that they offer to the kids of their country club friends. It's just a fact.

And then, there's all the negative talk when they don't think anyone's listening or when the protagonists ignore the suffering of minority characters (e.g. "Black women are always mean until you say hi to them" and when an Asian American kid sees the Tomb of the Unknown soldier, he talks about how "they forced the family to forget" suggesting that he lived in a dictatorship or something before) - it's honest. But as a minority, it's painful to hear. It's painful to be reminded that when someone sees me, his first thought is that I"m going to be mean or ignores me entirely.

It's honest and it's good to be honest about these things. But it still hurt to listen to it. I'm just putting that out there.


***

Overall, it's not the best thing ever written, but it does share some stories that we don't hear often in our modern age - and in a way that is very painfully honest about how some Euro Americans interact with the world.

It was a good effort and we need more like it - just a bit more focused and with a good editor.

Not bad, but not good. Worth a listen - once.

29 people found this helpful

Intriguing Storylines . . ,but

The endings were too tentative - he leaves you hanging. The author captures contemporary life well, especially the corporate environment. The narrators were great. I look forward to more stories from this author but work on those endings.

10 people found this helpful

"Borderline Personality Disordered People's Problems"

This is a book about borderline people's problems through the eyes of the afflicted. As such, it is difficult to find empathy with the characters. Therefore it is a very bad premise for a poorly narrated book. I find McConaughey to be as disingenuous a narrator as he is an actor.

7 people found this helpful

Title Doesn't Deliver

With a title like this, I'm expecting some clever take on why white people complain about too many Pottery Barn catalogues or pre-approved credit card applications clogging up their mailboxes. I stole that from an SNL skit. Instead, we're treated to whiny lawyers who are unlikeable and unrelatable, not just because of their profession. The majority of characters are vapid and dull. Why did I not return it? #1 Josh Holloway and #2 Matthew McConaughey. Please, Audible, please bring in more talent like this.

In case I wasn't clear, didn't like the stories at all.

6 people found this helpful

6 hours of material that will be forgotten

Narration was excellent storyline was so boring in every one.
I kept looking at the time hoping it would be over.

6 people found this helpful

Nothing redeeming

The men are pigs. They are lazy. They cheat. Only the 1 older lawyer was a good person. The writing and structure were fine. I guess because the book made me feel, perhaps for that reason you might say it was well done. But there is no "story", and nothing redeeming about the whole thing. They are not heros as the details say. They are all flawed, like every person. This book only shows you the bad.

1 person found this helpful

Definitively different

In a nutshell each seems to carry it's own theme, underscored by the idea of the haves. I was expecting more of a comedy but this is nice to.

1 person found this helpful

White reader's review

Some interesting stories. Great narrators. Definitely for white men, others may not be too empathetic. But that's what the struggle is about.

1 person found this helpful

Slightly ashamed how much I relate to this

Amazing short stories brought to life by awesome cast, each story highlighting a slightly different theme and idea

3 people found this helpful

Great writing with amazing narrators!

White Man's Problems is a terrific find. Each story in this collection from Kevin Morris is smart and highly entertaining. He writes with a unique and compelling perspective and never fails to hold my interest. I read and listen to a lot of short stories and was happy to find such an original collection. That combined with the remarkable narrators reading these stories make a really great audiobook. I look forward to reading more from this author.

4 people found this helpful