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Supremacist
A loosely autobiographical novel inspired by an obsession for the global fashion phenomenon and brand, Supreme . David travels with his friend Camilla from New York to Japan and England to visit every Supreme store location on the globe. Supremacist is equal parts travel diary and love story for the Internet age, where a logo replaces the crucifix. David Shapiro is the creator of the hit blog Pitchfork Reviews Reviews and The World's First Perfect Zine . His first novel You're Not Much Use to Anyone was featured in VICE , BuzzFeed, The Village Voice , Refinery29, and blurbed by Tao Lin and Adelle Waldman. He has written for the New Yorker , the New York Observer , the Wall Street Journal , Interview , and other venues.
- GenresNovels
200 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
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216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 24, 2018
A few months ago, a friend sent me a message on my phone with a link to an article on Vice with excerpts from Mr. Shapiro's Supremacist and said, "0/10. F-. A confirmation of virtually every negative suspicion people who hate contemporary fiction have about contemporary fiction. On the other hand, thumbs up to this:" (and my friend had taken a picture of Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelias).
I read the excerpts and had to disagree. Strongly. I loved it. All of it! (So much that immediately after, I went on Amazon and pre-ordered the book). See, what my friend was talking about (let's call him Jon) Jon was pointing out the inherent flaw that exists in texts that adopt what I call Tao Lin-speak.
Let me ask you this: did you enjoy Shoplifting from American Apparel by Tao Lin? (I hate to compare Supremacist to Shoplifting but it really does provide a clear sense of what to expect if you are truly interested in reading Supremacist). Anyway, yes, if you liked Shoplifting, then you will adore Supremacist.
I liked Shoplifting because it was different (at the time) and it was really easy to follow. Like, if I have a niece or nephew and they do not like to read or appreciate literature in any way, I will give them something written by Tao Lin (or I guess now, Mr. Shapiro). What I admire about these two, is they write in a simple manner, about things that are not so simple. And everyone knows this, that true experts are able to explain a most complicated subject in fairly simple terms. Not that I am suggesting that Mr. Lin and Mr. Shapiro are genius writers--though I do certainly admire their work; there is some merit to be had.
To break it down even more--the prose style of these 2 is, I feel, the perfect answer to the I-don't-like-to-read-books-because-they-are-boring-to-me blanket statement. But I totally get it. Not everyone has an interest in being mind fucked by the likes of James Joyce, Thomas Pynchon or even Ayn Rand. And also, with the kind of shit we have nowadays: Tumblr, Instagram, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Facebook--etc. Who has the time to read a book that is 200+ pages long?
Thing is, even though both works deal with consumerism (in a way) they could not be any more different. Shoplifting literally deals with a protagonist who cannot afford to pay for anything, so he spends the majority of his time stealing clothes and batteries from retail stores so he can sell them on eBay for some quick $$$. Supremacist deals with 2 (one ultra and the other sort-of) wealthy people who decide to visit and talk about all the Supreme stores in the world.
What made Shoplifting so interesting was the personal aspect of the text. Tao Lin holds our hand and takes us to jail with him after he is caught shoplifting and tells us (in pretty amazing detail) everything he thought while going through the entire ordeal and the narrative is so clinical and quasi-detached, it reads almost like a news report.
Shapiro follows a somewhat similar path, but then does something interesting by throwing in a character who is not at all interested in the Supreme brand, so there is a lot of very necessary dialogue happening all throughout the book. Basically, proofing the book so it is not a 100% complete gush-fantasy and more of an actual critique of capitalism and our fear of actually taking a look at the proverbial mirror to ask ourselves, "What the fuck is wrong with us?"
This is that beautiful minimalist/sparse/to-the-point prose a lot of people seem to associate with alt-lit (when alt-lit was still a thing). On the surface, if you just glance at it, the prose reads like garbage. Overly simplistic garbage. Overly simplistic garbage in the sense that nothing seems to have that poetic je-ne-sais-quoi so many of us seek in modern literature today. Everything seems so stream-of-consciousness. And in a way, it sort of is, but that's the genius of Supremacist. If anything, Mr. Shapiro excels at being consistent in everything he does. For example, the way he talks about smoking cigarettes, or taking drugs or drinking alcohol--it all remains consistent throughout the text. Another thing; there will be mention of a Supreme item and 9 times out of 10, right underneath or on the very next page, Mr. Shapiro will include a Polaroid of the item. (And it quickly becomes apparent that Mr. Shapiro must have taken most (if not all) of these photos since they all seem to share the same background and aesthetic--(they are all Polaroids)). This all sounds ultra simple (the inclusion of Polaroids) but it works to great effect. And plus, if Mr. Shapiro truly owns that many items from Supreme ...DAMN.
But this is all semi-analysis. How's the book itself? Because of all the pictures, it's printed on glossy paper, which is kind of weird, but you get over it pretty quickly. I feel like if alt-lit were to ever have a revival, (like a phase II or IV--whatever, this would be it).
Five might seem like a very high rating for something like this, but I'll tell you why I gave it a five.
1) I am not in the habit of ever pre-ordering books. If I am pre-ordering a book, it's because it must have had a really strong effect on me. Supremacist had a really strong effect on me.
2) It's kind of baffling that something as cult-like as Supreme does not yet have a book like Supremacist, and that it took this long for something like this to happen. So kudos to Mr. Shapiro for trail-blazing.
3) And finally, Mr. Shapiro lays it all out for us and things get astoundingly personal within the text, which I think takes a lot of chutzpah. And it's not easy to be so transparent whilst still telling a damn good story. Cheers to that.
There's a part where the main character and the person he is traveling with get into a fight and begin to scream at each other in a 7/11 in Japan in the middle of the night. I remember feeling sick to my stomach it was so good.
5/5
I read the excerpts and had to disagree. Strongly. I loved it. All of it! (So much that immediately after, I went on Amazon and pre-ordered the book). See, what my friend was talking about (let's call him Jon) Jon was pointing out the inherent flaw that exists in texts that adopt what I call Tao Lin-speak.
Let me ask you this: did you enjoy Shoplifting from American Apparel by Tao Lin? (I hate to compare Supremacist to Shoplifting but it really does provide a clear sense of what to expect if you are truly interested in reading Supremacist). Anyway, yes, if you liked Shoplifting, then you will adore Supremacist.
I liked Shoplifting because it was different (at the time) and it was really easy to follow. Like, if I have a niece or nephew and they do not like to read or appreciate literature in any way, I will give them something written by Tao Lin (or I guess now, Mr. Shapiro). What I admire about these two, is they write in a simple manner, about things that are not so simple. And everyone knows this, that true experts are able to explain a most complicated subject in fairly simple terms. Not that I am suggesting that Mr. Lin and Mr. Shapiro are genius writers--though I do certainly admire their work; there is some merit to be had.
To break it down even more--the prose style of these 2 is, I feel, the perfect answer to the I-don't-like-to-read-books-because-they-are-boring-to-me blanket statement. But I totally get it. Not everyone has an interest in being mind fucked by the likes of James Joyce, Thomas Pynchon or even Ayn Rand. And also, with the kind of shit we have nowadays: Tumblr, Instagram, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Facebook--etc. Who has the time to read a book that is 200+ pages long?
Thing is, even though both works deal with consumerism (in a way) they could not be any more different. Shoplifting literally deals with a protagonist who cannot afford to pay for anything, so he spends the majority of his time stealing clothes and batteries from retail stores so he can sell them on eBay for some quick $$$. Supremacist deals with 2 (one ultra and the other sort-of) wealthy people who decide to visit and talk about all the Supreme stores in the world.
What made Shoplifting so interesting was the personal aspect of the text. Tao Lin holds our hand and takes us to jail with him after he is caught shoplifting and tells us (in pretty amazing detail) everything he thought while going through the entire ordeal and the narrative is so clinical and quasi-detached, it reads almost like a news report.
Shapiro follows a somewhat similar path, but then does something interesting by throwing in a character who is not at all interested in the Supreme brand, so there is a lot of very necessary dialogue happening all throughout the book. Basically, proofing the book so it is not a 100% complete gush-fantasy and more of an actual critique of capitalism and our fear of actually taking a look at the proverbial mirror to ask ourselves, "What the fuck is wrong with us?"
This is that beautiful minimalist/sparse/to-the-point prose a lot of people seem to associate with alt-lit (when alt-lit was still a thing). On the surface, if you just glance at it, the prose reads like garbage. Overly simplistic garbage. Overly simplistic garbage in the sense that nothing seems to have that poetic je-ne-sais-quoi so many of us seek in modern literature today. Everything seems so stream-of-consciousness. And in a way, it sort of is, but that's the genius of Supremacist. If anything, Mr. Shapiro excels at being consistent in everything he does. For example, the way he talks about smoking cigarettes, or taking drugs or drinking alcohol--it all remains consistent throughout the text. Another thing; there will be mention of a Supreme item and 9 times out of 10, right underneath or on the very next page, Mr. Shapiro will include a Polaroid of the item. (And it quickly becomes apparent that Mr. Shapiro must have taken most (if not all) of these photos since they all seem to share the same background and aesthetic--(they are all Polaroids)). This all sounds ultra simple (the inclusion of Polaroids) but it works to great effect. And plus, if Mr. Shapiro truly owns that many items from Supreme ...DAMN.
But this is all semi-analysis. How's the book itself? Because of all the pictures, it's printed on glossy paper, which is kind of weird, but you get over it pretty quickly. I feel like if alt-lit were to ever have a revival, (like a phase II or IV--whatever, this would be it).
Five might seem like a very high rating for something like this, but I'll tell you why I gave it a five.
1) I am not in the habit of ever pre-ordering books. If I am pre-ordering a book, it's because it must have had a really strong effect on me. Supremacist had a really strong effect on me.
2) It's kind of baffling that something as cult-like as Supreme does not yet have a book like Supremacist, and that it took this long for something like this to happen. So kudos to Mr. Shapiro for trail-blazing.
3) And finally, Mr. Shapiro lays it all out for us and things get astoundingly personal within the text, which I think takes a lot of chutzpah. And it's not easy to be so transparent whilst still telling a damn good story. Cheers to that.
There's a part where the main character and the person he is traveling with get into a fight and begin to scream at each other in a 7/11 in Japan in the middle of the night. I remember feeling sick to my stomach it was so good.
5/5
July 8, 2017
i liked this book. it was simple but still told me something that i cared about and im not sure why. i liked the guy telling the story and how he laid himself and things bare (seemingly) without shame. i learned about Supreme, Japan and how we all struggle to live in this world in very different ways.
July 2, 2017
This books revolves around the fascinating hypothetical question: "What if George Costanza was a Hypebeast with no friends and a drinking problem who convinced his old college crush Camilla to loiter with him outside of the same store in three different continents?"
The answer is less entertaining than you hoped it would be.
David's writing on doing day to day tasks on the internet is the strongest part of the book. He watches Simpson's on his iPhone in Japan. Camilla fucks around on her phone while ignoring him. An Air BnB host watches a Super Metroid Speed Running Competition.
The main character stopped me from enjoying the book. I found him more irritating than entertaining. While he often feels sad he never becomes vulnerable which stops him from growing. Like George at the end of a Seinfeld episode he learned nothing by the end of the book.
The answer is less entertaining than you hoped it would be.
David's writing on doing day to day tasks on the internet is the strongest part of the book. He watches Simpson's on his iPhone in Japan. Camilla fucks around on her phone while ignoring him. An Air BnB host watches a Super Metroid Speed Running Competition.
The main character stopped me from enjoying the book. I found him more irritating than entertaining. While he often feels sad he never becomes vulnerable which stops him from growing. Like George at the end of a Seinfeld episode he learned nothing by the end of the book.
September 11, 2016
Pros: This reads like a thing written by someone who's never heard of "MFA programs," which I don't mean negatively. The tone & feel of this book is down-to-earth & refreshing. Some dialog sections are good.
Cons: Part of me wishes this was 20% smarter. A lot of it felt kind of meandering & lazy. As an essay about Supreme & sometimes Japan, it's fine. As a novel, it's ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Cons: Part of me wishes this was 20% smarter. A lot of it felt kind of meandering & lazy. As an essay about Supreme & sometimes Japan, it's fine. As a novel, it's ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
July 11, 2019
The guy who fucking sold me a water-damaged iPhone 5 on eBay and then deleted his account and disappeared, “Thwack!” The white guy from Odd Future who didn’t even try to talk to me after I sat outside his store for three days, “Thwack!”
Climate change deniers, “Thwack!” The pimp gawking at me, “Thwack!” Every single thing I read on the internet, “Thwack!”
Climate change deniers, “Thwack!” The pimp gawking at me, “Thwack!” Every single thing I read on the internet, “Thwack!”
February 10, 2022
Pleasantly surprised by how funny I found this. Think I'm officially done with mumblecore/hipster lit after this.
September 6, 2016
The novel I read for summer reading was Supremacist by David Shapiro. The genre of the book is autobiographical and it tells about a young New Yorker named David and his friend Camilla who travel across the world to visit all the Supreme (clothing brand) stores. They travel from New York to Los Angeles, London, and Japan just to explore the Supreme clothing stores up close. David is an open minded 24 year old who has many theory's about this store and what it's real purpose is in the fashion industry, and why the popularity of it keeps growing. There are some negatives about the book, as it's hard to follow because the main character David jumps back and forth to different thoughts. Also, he over analyzes everything he thinks about, especially when people ask the real reason he's taking this trip to visit all Supreme stores in the world. Positive parts of the book is the journey he brings himself and his friend on, learning new cultures and meeting people from places they never thought they would've been to. People that may enjoy this book are people who are obsessed or intrigued by a certain clothing brand or trying to figure out the purpose of it. The book did not meet my expectations because when I first bought the book I didn't think it was going to be about a clothing store. The speech was also very difficult to follow, and it could get boring at some parts, like it was someone writing down everything they did when they woke up to the moment they went to sleep. But overall it was still interesting to read and I would possibly read it again.
February 21, 2021
You know, I liked this story. I've read similar stories, but this one is lovely. The author/protagonist hit on some social issues and commentary that are becoming increasing relevant, like the idea of failed multiculturalism v. homogenous societies, the way he says that everyone in Japan is Japanese and that there is very little crime. The commentary runs longer and goes that if there is crime in Japan, they blame a foreigner. There's also a mob in Japan, but they all have tattoos. I'm not sure what kind crime, if any, they perpetrate, but it probably includes martial arts, a karate chop to the neck or something. The way Shapiro describes a Japanese breakfast is lovely. I've been googling the raw quail egg and the rock fire, but I haven't been able to "see" a Japanese breakfast. This novel is like reading a journal. It's terse, but softer than Tao Lin's writing. The journey, however, is different from a Tao Lin journey. This book seems aware of itself in a way that Tao Lin's do not. For writers, we could look here to see what we could get away with in the publishing industry. It's cozy minimalism.
June 29, 2016
I don't know why I enjoyed this book so much or why I couldn't put it down as soon as I started it. As I read Supremacist I realized I felt the same things about the actual book that the main character feels about Supreme: confusion, bewilderment, satisfaction, fixation, obsession, and plenty more that I'm still trying to figure out hours after I finished the book.
The author's semi-autobiographical story is about a guy who likes the brand Supreme so he decides to go to all of the Supreme stores in the world. Going in, I knew relatively little about Supreme other than that it is a popular men's streetwear brand. I received an education on the brand but that aspect of the story really takes a backseat to the central character, David. Even in a short 220 pages, the process of getting to know David was extremely rewarding. He was funny and heartbreaking and distant and sympathetic, all at the same time.
This might be a new frontrunner for my favorite book I've read this year. It's certainly one of the most original.
The author's semi-autobiographical story is about a guy who likes the brand Supreme so he decides to go to all of the Supreme stores in the world. Going in, I knew relatively little about Supreme other than that it is a popular men's streetwear brand. I received an education on the brand but that aspect of the story really takes a backseat to the central character, David. Even in a short 220 pages, the process of getting to know David was extremely rewarding. He was funny and heartbreaking and distant and sympathetic, all at the same time.
This might be a new frontrunner for my favorite book I've read this year. It's certainly one of the most original.
August 30, 2016
Excellent use of photos in this book. I really like the design of it and the way they're incorporated usefully into the text. I learned a lot about Supreme
The story is depressing but it's worth it just for all the Supreme discussion
The story is depressing but it's worth it just for all the Supreme discussion
July 23, 2019
This is a book that I could totally understand people hating with fervor, but for some reason I found myself kind of loving it. I've always had a latent curiosity for the enigma of Supreme, and Shapiro activated that curiosity from the jump.
Parts of this read like Wikipedia pages interpreted by any random Bushwickian, but I found even the most loathsome parts charming in spite of myself. I do think this could've jumped to 5 stars had it had a slightly more concrete ending - or had the narrator shown even an iota of remorse for his reprehensible actions throughout - but it still really worked for me. There's probably a point being made in the fact that you can tell from the narrator's narration that some very small part of him (the evolving part?) does want to reconcile and apologise and grow, and yet he remains stuck in his infantile self-destruction. It's sadly realistic (I imagine) for a great deal of people around my age, and it's an interesting pallette upon which to splash the interesting artistic endeavors of Supreme.
Very post-modern-chic, which just so happens to be my exact quilty pleasure. Funny, too! And now I'm a veritable Supreme expert, so that's nice.
Parts of this read like Wikipedia pages interpreted by any random Bushwickian, but I found even the most loathsome parts charming in spite of myself. I do think this could've jumped to 5 stars had it had a slightly more concrete ending - or had the narrator shown even an iota of remorse for his reprehensible actions throughout - but it still really worked for me. There's probably a point being made in the fact that you can tell from the narrator's narration that some very small part of him (the evolving part?) does want to reconcile and apologise and grow, and yet he remains stuck in his infantile self-destruction. It's sadly realistic (I imagine) for a great deal of people around my age, and it's an interesting pallette upon which to splash the interesting artistic endeavors of Supreme.
Very post-modern-chic, which just so happens to be my exact quilty pleasure. Funny, too! And now I'm a veritable Supreme expert, so that's nice.
June 2, 2019
This book is, in a word, terrible. The main issue is the narcissistic, Simpsons-obsessed, incel of a main character. Never have I wanted to punch a character more than when reading this book. According to the synopsis this is semi-autobiographical, so I am hoping that the character is an exaggeration and that there is not a real actual human being who acts like this. I actually liked Supreme as a brand before reading this book and that's why I picked it up in the first place, but this book is not really about Supreme. It's about a 26 year old man traveling around the world, spending money, and complaining that his friend Camilla doesn't want to sleep with him. There's a difference between having a complex and corrupt main character and having a character who is just straight up unlikeable and annoying.
March 31, 2019
DNF
It's very seldom I don't finish a book but this on was too much for me. I picked it up from the library for two reasons. First, although small in size, it's an unusually heavy book in the physical sense. It's printed on high-quality glossy paper which increases the weight and that made me curious. Second, it doesn't have a blurb. Almost all books have a brief description or at least an 'about the author' section but this didn't. That also made me curious. Unfortunately when I got it home I discovered it's about fashion and I have no interest in that subject.
I only read ten pages and while I didn't find the characters likable, the writing wasn't bad. I think if you are interested in fashion and popular culture you might like this book. It's just not for me.
It's very seldom I don't finish a book but this on was too much for me. I picked it up from the library for two reasons. First, although small in size, it's an unusually heavy book in the physical sense. It's printed on high-quality glossy paper which increases the weight and that made me curious. Second, it doesn't have a blurb. Almost all books have a brief description or at least an 'about the author' section but this didn't. That also made me curious. Unfortunately when I got it home I discovered it's about fashion and I have no interest in that subject.
I only read ten pages and while I didn't find the characters likable, the writing wasn't bad. I think if you are interested in fashion and popular culture you might like this book. It's just not for me.
November 10, 2017
Based on the premise, this doesn't seem like a book I - or anyone, really - would like. But it's actually a really great exploration of human emotion told in a remarkably relatable way, even when - maybe especially when - it's downright cringey. There are zero redeeming qualities to the main character, he's just a loser. He means well though and he knows he's a loser so the inner dialogue is familiar to anyone who's ever felt out of place or misunderstood or just alone. Supreme is prominent in the book, yes, and it's literal, but it's also the most clever allegory I've read in years.
March 16, 2023
Thought this was like a non fiction book about the history of supreme and about a dude who went to all the supreme stores. Turns out its like a weird ass romantic novel about a dude who slowly falls in love with a girl that he brings along to all the supreme stores. I think the older and more mature one gets, the more you realize how cringe supreme is. This is peak supreme kid cringe. What an insane concept for a book.
December 18, 2018
"I woke up and vomited in the shower. I drove to Supreme with Camilla. We got there before it opened and waited outside. Supreme Los Angeles, the only other Supreme store I'd been to. I felt like I was home."
June 25, 2019
'Minimalist' forced prose meant to sound neurotic and accentuate distance between the narrator and the other characters. Some cute dialogue but other than that unfortunately no real reward for having read this. Two stars for a geist of a zeitgeist.
December 2, 2017
this book is really good. David Shapiro is a great writer. more people should read this book.
December 18, 2017
This book really gave me an appreciation for the project that is Supreme. Also, if law doesn't work out, I can always just go to every single Supreme store and write a book about it.
May 9, 2018
For anyone who's getting into Supreme, knows of Supreme and is curious about it, or just wants a simple, light, funny read.
January 4, 2024
will prove quietly to be one of the defining texts of millennial urbanites
January 9, 2024
Spectrum-y alcoholic goes every Supreme store in the world. Two thumbs up.
April 22, 2019
An interesting read for a glimpse into Supreme/hypebeast culture. I read this the week it came out after seeing a feature about it on Vice or something. I'd say it caters quite well to a young adult audience in its way of presenting a modern adventure in consumerism.
December 4, 2018
3.7/10
Shapiro’s semi-autographical novel is painfully mundane and non-transcendent as it documents his quest to visit every Supreme store in the world. Even worse, it’s poorly written. Supremacist is both the apogee of obnoxious character-writing and the nadir of a career that once showed promise.
Shapiro’s semi-autographical novel is painfully mundane and non-transcendent as it documents his quest to visit every Supreme store in the world. Even worse, it’s poorly written. Supremacist is both the apogee of obnoxious character-writing and the nadir of a career that once showed promise.
September 16, 2021
While I enjoyed the stories based around the individual Supreme stories and certain items the protagonist bought, I was quite uninterested in the protagonist himself and his rather rude and abrasive personality. Cool idea for a book, but since there isn't much to discuss from Supreme as a cultural phenomena, it becomes another mid-20s rump about two shallow, and perhaps not so great,people.
June 8, 2016
This was a good book. I enjoyed the way it was written.
September 29, 2016
Fun if you're into Supreme, but totally forgettable.
April 16, 2017
this was fine, a little contrived/forced and ultiamtely not satisfying or original. just a dude who can write decent with little to no self awareness writing about his many fuck ups that happen directly from his faults - relatable.
May 16, 2019
Dope book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews