Bonnie G.’s Reviews > Minor Black Figures > Status Update
Bonnie G.
is on page 134 of 400
I am liking this a lot, though Taylor feels a bit too compelled to stop the story to talk about politics, public policy, and the like. FWiW, we are mostly politically aligned, for the most part, I cosign the messaging, but it really messes with the flow.. Again, still liking it, but this is a problem for me, and one I expect is not going away.
— Jan 10, 2026 01:58PM
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Bonnie G.’s Previous Updates
Bonnie G.
is on page 272 of 400
I like the way Taylor examines how hyper-conectedness makes us more detached. I also love getting inside his head as he talks about art and film. Wyeth's overanalysis and self-consciousness are painful to read about, but also honest and resonant.
— 5 hours, 21 min ago
Bonnie G.
is on page 44 of 400
I did not enjoy my reads of earlier Brandon Taylor works and intended to skip this one. GR friend Derek encouraged me to give this a try (he also did not like the earlier books), and once again, Derek appears to be on the money. This is really good so far. It takes on a lot of the same subjects as the other work, but in a more honest way and with an MC that manages to be twitchy and insecure without being pathetic.
— Jan 08, 2026 03:49PM
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Meike
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Jan 10, 2026 11:10PM
Aaah, I have the audio book, but it's 13 hours, so I was afraid it would drag - oh no!
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It does meander, Meike. I am also listening to this one. So far I am enjoying it, but that wandering quality only works for me if I am in exactly the right mood so I have needed to go to other books and let this wait for moments I am feeling particularly linear. My linearity is my problem. It is taking me a while to get through, but so far I'm happy to be reading this one.
Bonnie G. wrote: "It does meander, Meike. I am also listening to this one. So far I am enjoying it, but that wandering quality only works for me if I am in exactly the right mood so I have needed to go to other book..."Oh, I understand, Bonnie: I'm struggling with meandering books in general, but when it's on audio, it's even worse, because then I'm doing something else besides listening and holding on to different narrative strands while the story wanders off becomes a real nuisance. I'll still tackle it, the story sounds intriguing and your comment that you're happy to be reading it is encouraging!
Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "It does meander, Meike. I am also listening to this one. So far I am enjoying it, but that wandering quality only works for me if I am in exactly the right mood so I have needed t..."Stay tuned, this could go either way. But even if this does not end up as I want it to, there is a lot of good here. I have been wondering if I like this so much more than Real People because it is very much a NYC novel (and I love my adopted city) and Real People was very much a Midwestern novel (and I very much do not love the region from which I hail, and where I spent a couple of additional years about a decade ago). I think that is part of it, especially the NYC part, since he does a fantastic job of talking about 2024 NYC and the way the art scene pulls and repels creative Midwesterners (like me and like Taylor) who show up here as young adults. I also think this is a better story x1000 and that while Taylor is still very much in his own head, his head is a much more interesting place to be than it was when he wrote his first novel.
Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "It does meander, Meike. I am also listening to this one. So far I am enjoying it, but that wandering quality only works for me if I am in exactly the right mood so I..."That sounds so interesting! As you know, I love the Midwest AND New York City, plus I really enjoy tales set in the art world, so I'm intrigued!
That's helpful, Bonnie. I'd have less tolerance for that, I think, than you. And welcome back!
Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "Meike wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "It does meander, Meike. I am also listening to this one. So far I am enjoying it, but that wandering quality only works for me if I am in exactly t..."And you liked Real Life more than I did. I think this may really work for you. I truly am enjoying the read, and sort of liking it for some of the things I see as flaws, if that makes sense. With Real Life I was totally wowed by his ability to write place, and that gets even better here. What I disliked most in that book was the dialogue, which I found entirely unnatural, but it is much better here.
Jennifer wrote: "That's helpful, Bonnie. I'd have less tolerance for that, I think, than you. And welcome back!"Thanks, Jennifer. I enjoyed my Atlanta time, but it is good to be home! I actually think you might like this one for some reason. Very philosophical, very NYC-focused, and the prose is fantastic. I find I am willing to go on some of his rambling diversions and even find many of them rewarding, but I still wish there were fewer.
Bonnie G. wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "That's helpful, Bonnie. I'd have less tolerance for that, I think, than you. And welcome back!"Thanks, Jennifer. I enjoyed my Atlanta time, but it is good to be home! I actually ..."
I'm sorry it's so cold here today, although we had some warm days for your return, :). Hope you had a good weekend. It's hard to know with philosophy in author's books: I used to love that, but have less patience as I age. I was gifted a copy of The Late Americans, which I still haven't read, so I'll probably start with that one. You are welcome to borrow it when I'm done.
Jennifer wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "That's helpful, Bonnie. I'd have less tolerance for that, I think, than you. And welcome back!"Thanks, Jennifer. I enjoyed my Atlanta time, but it is good to be..."
Thanks Jenn, I tried that one, got maybe 40 pages in, but truly loathed it, but hopefully your experience will be better!
