NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys, this gloriously entertaining novel is “fast-paced, keen-eyed and very funny ... about race, power and the history of Harlem all disguised as a thrill-ride crime novel (San Francisco Chronicle).Ray Carney was only slightly bent when it came to being crooked... To his customers and neighbors on 125th street, Carney is an upstanding salesman of reasonably priced furniture, making a decent life for himself and his family. He and his wife Elizabeth are expecting their second child, and if her parents on Striver's Row don't approve of him or their cramped apartment across from the subway tracks, it's still home. Few people know he descends from a line of uptown hoods and crooks, and that his façade of normalcy has more than a few cracks in it. Cracks that are getting bigger all the time. Cash is tight, especially with all those installment-plan sofas, so if his cousin Freddie occasionally drops off the odd ring or necklace, Ray doesn't ask where it comes from. He knows a discreet jeweler downtown who doesn't ask questions, either. Then Freddie falls in with a crew who plan to rob the Hotel Theresa—the Waldorf of Harlem—and volunteers Ray's services as the fence. The heist doesn't go as planned; they rarely do. Now Ray has a new clientele, one made up of shady cops, vicious local gangsters, two-bit pornographers, and other assorted Harlem lowlifes. Thus begins the internal tussle between Ray the striver and Ray the crook. As Ray navigates this double life, he begins to see who actually pulls the strings in Harlem. Can Ray avoid getting killed, save his cousin, and grab his share of the big score, all while maintaining his reputation as the go-to source for all your quality home furniture needs? Harlem Shuffle's ingenious story plays out in a beautifully recreated New York City of the early 1960s. It's a family saga masquerading as a crime novel, a hilarious morality play, a social novel about race and power, and ultimately a love letter to Harlem. But mostly, it's a joy to read, another dazzling novel from the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning Colson Whitehead.
Journey into the vibrant streets and bustling jazz clubs of 1960s Harlem with Colson Whitehead's captivating novel, "Harlem Shuffle." Delve into the life of Ray Carney, a furniture salesman with a secret side hustle as a fence, caught between his desire for a legitimate life and the allure of the criminal underworld. As Ray navigates the intricate web of relationships with his family, friends, and enemies, he finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of heists, betrayals, and hidden agendas.
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Harlem's culture, where the pulse of jazz music fills the air, and the streets thrum with energy. Whitehead deftly weaves a tale of crime, family, and ambition, exploring the complexities of a man torn between two worlds. Through Ray's eyes, we witness the stark contrasts of Harlem, from the elegance of its brownstone houses to the grit of its back alleys, and the struggles of its people to make a living in a rapidly changing city.
As Ray's life intersects with a cast of colorful characters, including his wife Elizabeth, his criminal associate Freddie, and the enigmatic Bumpy Johnson, the stakes rise higher with each passing day. Whitehead masterfully builds suspense as Ray's double life threatens to unravel, and he must use all his cunning and resourcefulness to stay one step ahead of the law and his ruthless adversaries.
"Harlem Shuffle" is a mesmerizing blend of crime fiction and social commentary, a story that transports readers to a tumultuous era in American history. Colson Whitehead's evocative prose and insightful storytelling bring to life the challenges and triumphs of the African American community in Harlem, while also delving into universal themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the pursuit of the American Dream.
Get lost in the captivating world of "Harlem Shuffle," a novel that celebrates the resilience and spirit of a community while exploring the complexities of human nature. Experience the thrill of the heist, the weight of family obligations, and the relentless pursuit of justice in this gripping tale that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
