Crook Manifesto

In the sequel to Harlem Shuffle, set in 1973 New York City, furniture store owner and ex-fence Ray Carney is trying to keep his head down while navigating a crumbling metropolis run by cronyism, threats, ego, ambition, incompetence, and corruption. Colson Whitehead's novel is a kaleidoscopic portrait of Harlem and a searching portrait of how families work in the face of chaos and hostility.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2023
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

One of the Most Anticipated Books of the Summer





Oprah Daily, New York Times, Washington Post, Time, NPR, Los Angeles Times, Essence, and numerous other publications have all praised this book as one of the most eagerly awaited of the season.





Ian Williams of the Guardian hailed it as a "dazzling treatise" that skillfully dismantles its satire while simultaneously delving into the essence of the world and its inhabitants.





The New York Times praised it as a "masterpiece," while People Magazine described it as a thrilling and entertaining sequel to Colson Whitehead's 1971 novel, Harlem Shuffle.





Set in 1971, New York City, the novel paints a vivid picture of a city in turmoil. Trash piles up on the streets, crime is at an all-time high, the city is going bankrupt, and a shooting war has broken out between the NYPD and the Black Liberation Army.





Furniture store owner and ex-fence Ray Carney is trying to keep his head down, his business up, and his life straight. However, when he needs Jackson 5 tickets for his daughter May, he decides to hit up an old police contact, who wants favors in return.





For Ray, staying out of the game gets a lot more complicated - and deadly.





In 1973, the thriving counterculture is challenging the old ways, but Ray's enduringly violent partner in crime, Pepper, remains a constant. During these difficult times, Pepper takes on a side gig doing security on a Blaxploitation shoot in Harlem, finding himself in a world of Hollywood stars and celebrity drug dealers, alongside the usual cast of hustlers, mobsters, and hit men.





These adversaries underestimate the seasoned crook, to their regret.





As the country gears up for the Bicentennial in 1976, Harlem is burning, adding another layer of complexity to the already tumultuous situation.





Colson Whitehead's novel is a captivating blend of satire, crime, and social commentary, offering readers a thrilling and thought-provoking journey through the heart of a city in crisis. With its sharp writing, memorable characters, and powerful themes, Crook Manifesto is a must-read for anyone who loves literature that challenges the status quo.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780349727646