Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback

It’s not often I truly dislike a book, but “Tremor” is one I did not enjoy reading in the least. I honestly have no idea what all the fuss about this book or this author is about. Although this is the only book by Teju Cole that I’ve read, if it’s indicative of his style, I won’t read another. Published late last year, “Tremor” won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. It also was regarded as a best book of the year by Time, The Washington Post, Financial Times, Vulture, Chicago Public Library, Publishers Weekly, and Library Journal. WHY?????

It’s a pointless, rambling, confusing, disjointed mess! There’s no discernible plot as far as I can see. The names of people and places are jumble together so that it’s barely readable. There’s no plot, no character development, no poetry or beautiful prose.

At this point I usually thank the publisher and author and NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader’s copy of the book I am reviewing, but for “Tremor” I’m only grateful I did not have to spend my money to read it. I’ve reviewed the book voluntarily.

We begin with the domestic life of Tunde, a Nigerian-born professor of photography at Harvard. He devotes his time and attention to closely observing the world, lecturing about art in museums, traveling to photography exhibitions in Africa, and capturing images with his camera, haunted by occasional ocular migraines that temporarily blind him in one eye. This story engages deeply with the history of slavery, violence, capitalism, and colonialism in Boston and Nigeria, Haiti and Mali. A major theme is the appropriation of African artifacts and Black bodies into European art and literature and the moral blindness of White privilege.

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for sharing an ARC!

One of the best novels I've read this decade. Cole has such a command of pacing and his ability to weave ideas throughout is unmatched

In music, you can change the shape of the note head to indicate vocal effects (screaming, shaking, a non-pitch pitch), something I remembered while reading Teju Cole’s Tremor, a novel bookended by the thoughts of Tunde, a West African born Ivy-league professor and photographer who is fixated on the difficulties of portraiture, and the inadequacy of human efforts to mark a death. Also, by extension, the untold stories and deaths attached to the atrocities that shaped the current world map. The voices in the book include a small anthology of Lagosian storytellers, and issue from Tokyo and Cape Town and Lahaina and Beirut and Mali and outer space. The story is short and long at the same time, just like life, with small moments like Tunde lying in bed with his wife Sadako trying to fall asleep, or watching a walking school bus of toddlers go by (“a segmented brightly colored crocodile making its way along the sidewalk”) stretching into something bigger. Cole is very good at inventing within the novel—it’s notes, but they sound like nothing you’ve heard before or know how to name.

A slim book that I felt was a little overstuffed with ideas, not all of which I completely understood including, but whose voice and thoughts and intelligence I appreciate.

"Tremor" by Teju Cole is a masterful exploration of the human condition through the lens of a singular event. Cole's prose is exquisite, weaving together themes of identity, displacement, and the interconnectedness of lives. It's a literary gem that resonates long after the final page.

Teju Cole's novel "Tremor" is a masterful exploration of cultural experiences and the intricacies of human connection, richly woven with captivating prose that immerses readers in the protagonist's unique perspective on the world. The novel stands out for its ability to convey the main character's appreciation for diverse cultural encounters as he navigates through life, creating a tapestry of vivid imagery that brings the narrative to life.

One of the novel's major strengths lies in Cole's exquisite writing style, which beautifully captures the essence of the main character's cultural journey. The richness of language not only adds depth to the protagonist's experiences but also allows readers to vicariously share in his awe and wonder. The way Cole intertwines the main character's observations with the broader context of the unknown character he addresses in the novel is particularly noteworthy. This interplay adds layers of meaning to the narrative, creating a profound and thought-provoking reading experience.

However, it's important to acknowledge that the novel's intricate language may pose a challenge for some readers. There are instances where the detailed descriptions and nuanced prose can be a bit overwhelming, leading to moments of confusion. For example, it took me almost half the novel to discern the specific discipline area of the main character. While the depth of the writing is undoubtedly a strength, it could benefit from moments of clarity to ensure that readers can fully grasp essential details without feeling lost in the complexity.

In summary, Teju Cole's "Tremor" is a literary triumph that beautifully captures the protagonist's appreciation for cultural experiences and human connection. The richness of the writing elevates the narrative, creating a vivid tapestry of emotions and observations. The interplay between the main character and the unknown character adds a meaningful layer to the storytelling. However, the novel's intricate language, while impressive, may occasionally lead to confusion for readers, requiring a careful balance between complexity and clarity to enhance the overall reading experience.

I found Teju Cole's latest offering to be both intellectually challenging and enlightening. In Tremor, we see life through the lens of Tunde, a photography professor in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is from Lagos, Nigeria and his views of the world can not be separated from this. The narrative meanders but never without purpose. We hear Tunde's voice and the voices of many others as we peruse stories of history, music, and art across many cultures and walks of life. I expanded my knowledge and was entertained in the process.

I received a drc from the publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks.

I saved a favorite author to be my last read of 2023. Teju Cole's calm but persistent tone infuses his exploration of the ugliest subjects; he has a precise, pointed way of slicing to the essence of a problem - whether slavery, disregard for other people/cultures, relationship issues- in a manner that makes me wonder every time how someone can be so observant, brilliant, when I can't even properly summarize my agreement in a review. I enjoy his writing so much. I love his words on music and travel. I never know if the narrator is him or someone else. This was a good choice with which to end 2023.

This book is masterful. From the first page, I was sucked in and immediately on edge. I loved it. I can't wait to read more of Cole's work.

Reading this book is life taking a philosophical trip with the brilliant mind of the writer, seeing the world in a new light though the situations might be ones we are familiar with. I found myself making notes, marking ideas to look up, other works of art to view that are referenced in the book.

This was my introduction to Cole and it was certainly an excellent one. In short, I loved Tremor and look forward to checking out his other books.

Tunde is a photography professor at a prestigious New England university (presumably Harvard, where Cole himself teaches). Through his eyes, the reader travels from this American city to Maine to Lagos, Nigeria. While Tunde is arguably our protagonist, the book doesn’t stay with him and his story, instead wandering like he does to various other characters including short narratives of people in Lagos and a little jaunt with Tunde’s wife (with an homage to Mrs Dalloway). Through these narratives, Cole explores big themes of race, art, love, history, and colonialism, to name a few.

This is a book that begs to be studied. The disparate pieces and themes can seem a bit random until you start to try to piece them together. Cole indicates how these pieces go together but does not hold your hand. He allows you to draw your own conclusions about the connections and their significance. Reading Tremor is a bit like looking at photographic portraits and imagining the background of the people in them, unsurprising given Cole’s other works. Reading and discussing this with book friends was the way to go. There are so many layers to dissect, from the narratives themselves to the references to art and music.

It’s hard to describe the experience of reading this book, but it is one I highly recommend.

"Tremor" is a thought-provoking exploration of interconnected narratives intricately woven into the life of Tunde, a West African man employed as a photography teacher on a prestigious New England campus. In this evocative novel, the reader is immersed in a compelling mosaic of experiences that span time, geography, and emotions.

Through Tunde's perceptive lens, the story unfolds, delving into the complexities of a weekend spent amidst the haunting echoes of colonial atrocities, juxtaposed with the disheartening encounters of casual racism during a simple dusk walk. The novel deftly navigates the tensions simmering beneath the surface of a seemingly idyllic marriage, adding a layer of enigmatic intrigue to the narrative.

A captivating cascade of voices resonates throughout the pulsating backdrop of the metropolis, each voice contributing to the multifaceted tapestry of stories that comprise Tunde's world. As a reader, listener, and traveler, Tunde is drawn to diverse tales—from historical epics to the personal narratives of friends, family, and strangers. These stories converge, painting a vivid portrait of his days and, collectively, his life.

The beauty of "Tremor" lies in its rich tapestry of experiences, inviting readers to contemplate the myriad stories that shape our existence. The novel skillfully explores the tapestry of human existence, offering poignant insights into the power of storytelling, the intricacies of relationships, and the echoes of history that reverberate through our lives. Through Tunde's absorbing narrative, the book serves as a compelling testament to the depth and complexity of the human experience.

I just reviewed Tremor by Teju Cole. #Tremor #NetGalley

This is excellent. Probably my favorite book so far this year. Cole is such a fabulous writer. I love the way this feels like a collage.

Special thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

This is not a story, but multiple stories, different voices and yet I really liked how Cole writes. In this book the protagonist Tunde, a Nigerian is a professor at a prestigious school. But we don't stay with him, instead it's like a bunch of people that which really didn't matter who was speaking because the book demonstrates the connections between our lives.

The story is turned towards you in the way. It has its own force and I appreciate Cole's work again. I had to look u several things and I suggest you do as well as it makes the reading experience more enjoyable.

Even though this book sounds like it's all over the place, it's completely controlled. Cole has real intellect that is so intriguing. This was a very different type of book for me, but I liked it. A lot

One of the best books I read all year. Erudite, confronting, thought-provoking, smart and impressive.

A tapestry of numerous stories and voices. A very unique novel.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've rarely been as enthralled by a novel as I have been with this one. More of a review to come but I will be looking for ways to recommend this book in every way I can. Thanks for the early look, I will be buying a copy because the prose is too wonderful to not have it in print in front of me for a re-read.

3.5 stars. Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I had to refer to the cover several times as this read more like short stories than a novel. Much of the story is told in a far removed sort of third person voice about Tunde, a Nigerian man living in the present time married to a Japanese woman named Sadako. They are antiquing and come across a West African artifact which make his start thinking about colonial violence. The story takes many forms and voices and at time it was unclear if they same characters were talking or we were popping in to view a different person's life, opinion, etc. The notable parts of the book was the reflection on J.M.W Turner's painting "Slave Ship", the discussion of the historical slave ship which the painting was based and the brief loss of sight in one of Tunde's eyes. There are a few references to Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities. And many discussions about Nigerians, Lagos and culture, class and relationships. I couldn't really tell you what the book is about but there were interesting passages. I looked at some reviews and it's good to know that they concur that there isn't really a defined end point or the "moral of the story". At the end, I was a bit confused - "what does it all mean?" There was an actual tremor experienced by character but I imagine that all these stories are tremors in life that disturb and disrupt, possibly leading to something more catastrophic.