“Crook Manifesto,” by Colson Whitehead, and more short book reviews

Editor’s note: The opinions of the smart, well-read women in my Denver book club mean a lot, and often determine what the rest of us choose to pile onto our bedside tables. Sure, you could read advertising blurbs on Amazon, but wouldn’t you be more likely to believe a neighbor with no skin in the game over a corporation being fed words by publishers? So in this series, we are sharing these mini-reviews with you. Have any to offer? Email [email protected].

“Crook Manifesto,” by Colson Whitehead (Doubleday, 2023)

This is part two of Whitehead’s planned trilogy set in Harlem. Part 1 was “Harlem Shuffle,” set in the 1960s. This one is set in the 1970s and follows many of the same characters. But a new decade spells new escapades for our hero, Ray Carney, who vowed at the end of Part 1 to walk away from his criminal associates and all the dangers those relationships held. Easier said than done, particularly when Ray’s daughter has her heart set on scoring tickets to see the Jackson 5 at Madison Square Garden. Ray thinks, “I know a guy …,” and we’re off. Whitehead has an eye for the details of this decade, especially in describing the hip clothing popular then in Harlem, like houndstooth flare pants worn with a thigh-length leather jacket. Readers of a certain age will be able to visualize those outfits vividly. — 4 stars (out of 4); Kathleen Lance, Denver 

“No Two Persons,” by Erica Bauermeister (St. Martin’s Press, 2023)

“But that was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go.” “No Two Persons” shows the numerous ways a book slips into our lives. Bauermeister uses a mirage of a book (Theo) to portray the effect of one story on a variety of readers — author, agent, audiobook narrator, bookseller and others. As we skid along this trail, we glimpse tantalizing views of  Theo, alluring enough that I wish it were next on my bookshelf. Not all these readers’ stories end definitively, but, as one character, Nola, says,“ I just don’t think life gets tied up with a bow very often.” Some of the characters slip into more than one story, and the resolutions here are sufficient for the novel to be coherent and, more, satisfying. We are left with questions to ponder, but not left feeling cheated. I’ve read several of Bauermeister’s novels, and they feed my heart. “No Two Persons” won’t be the last. – 3 stars (out of 4); Neva Gronert, Parker

“Mr. B: George Balanchine in the Twentieth Century,” by Jennifer Homans (Random House, 2022)

This is the biography of the choreographer whose life was bookmarked by the major events of the 20th century. Born in 1904 Tsarist Russia, Balanchine was part of the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg in 1913 and witnessed the 1917 Communist revolution. He escaped to Europe in the 1920s and arrived in the United States in the 1930s as fascism overtook Europe. He created more than 400 ballets in his lifetime and helped co-found the New York City Ballet. Homans links the development of his choreography with his beliefs as they were shaped by world events. The author, a former dancer herself and the former dance critic of The New Yorker, had access to many of Balanchine’s dancers and his extensive papers. A riveting read for those interested in dance. –– 3 stars (out of 4); Susan Tracy, Denver

“Good Luck With That,” by Kristin Higgins (Berkley, 2018)

This novel spotlights three plump girlfriends from teens through adulthood. The author excels at heartfelt novels. For this one, she confronts women and their body images and self-acceptance. When Emerson dies unexpectedly (her lifestyle contributes), she leaves notes for the other two that jumpstart positive changes in their lives and attitudes. She leaves one final wish for her best friends: to conquer the fears they still carry as adults, something different for each.  As the two survivors grow stronger, the real meaning of Emerson’s dying wish becomes truly clear: More than anything, she wanted her friends to love themselves. – 3 stars (out of 4); Bonnie McCune, Denver; bonniemccune.com

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