The White Boy Shuffle

A Novel

Paul Beatty's hilarious and scathing debut novel, The White Boy Shuffle, is about Gunnar Kaufman, an awkward, black surfer bum who is moved by his mother from Santa Monica to urban West Los Angeles. There, he begins to undergo a startling transformation from neighborhood outcast to basketball superstar, and eventually to reluctant messiah of a "divided, downtrodden people".

©1996 Paul Beatty (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Good writing but disappointing storyline.

This is my first book by Paul Beatty; he really writes extremely well, but the story is more like a collection of one-act plays than a coherent whole. While I enjoyed each act, the story itself progressed little. The protagonist, Gunnar Kaufman, is apparently a genius at whatever he attempts; he is a published poet, a basketball star, a well-read philosopher. So handsome as to attract women yet remaining chaste. He is a wellspring of contradictions, with a philosophy that, in the end, is depraved. I realize that this is satire, but it is often over the top. This sort of humor works better if it is more subtle. This was more like slapstick. Yet the prose is unique and at time marvelous.

Awesomely Eclectic!

I read this book over 15 years ago. As I listened again, I was totally enthralled in it. I was constantly bookmarking it to discuss in our bookclub. The performance was amazing. The storyline was unexpected throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the vocabulary and voice. I could visualize EVERYTHING without feeling like, “this is too much detail.”

Great writing accompanied by great narration

Excellent! I've read all of his books. They're hilarious and poignant...The narration is also superb!

good book

finished it in 2 days. was hooked by chapter 4. I would recommend this book to a friend.

So beautiful

Wow... so far I’ve read Tuff, the Sell Out, and this. Paul Beatty’s writing and story telling abilities are mind blowing. I’m so grateful to have had the privilege of listening to his books. Prentice Onayemi is captivating and such a delight to listen to. I highly recommend anything by Paul Beatty, he’s shifted my perspectives from schooled me on race in America. I’ll be listening to anything else I can get my hands on by Paul Beatty, and listen to any book read by Prentice Onayemi.