I was very excited about this book because I've enjoyed Cunningham's journalism, but, unfortunately, this was not for me. The narrative takes repeated detours into the protagonist's thoughts without a clear reason why the author is doing so; I felt that David's extended musings too often interrupted the narrative instead of moving it forward. This made it difficult for me to remain engaged. I also thought that numerous characters were surface-level, including and disappointingly, the senator himself. With the exception of Beverly, too many of David's colleagues are limited to the descriptors with which they're introduced and there is little that distinguishes them from one another. The points of this book that interested me most were about the granular workings of campaigns and I wish there had been more of that unique perspective included in the novel.
This review has been posted on Storygraph and Bookworm.

Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham is essentially a coming-of-age story. It centers around the Presidential campaign of Obama - although he is not named. There are a lot of musings on religion, politics, and family. Great Expectation is very well written, which is to be expected since the author writes for The New Yorker.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC.

I really enjoy Vinson Cunningham's New Yorker writings, so when I saw that he had a novel coming out, of course, I was interested.

Unfortunately, I have to say that GREAT EXPECTATIONS was a disappointment. Oh, of course Cunningham can write, but I was surprised by the content of the book, which was more reflective of Cunningham's experiences on the Obama campaign than I expected. Of course, I don't *know* Cunningham's experiences and how much in the novel is more or less a description rather than an imagining, but the fact that the political candidate our hero goes to work for is Obama, coyly (in my opinion, but what else could he do?) never referred to by his name, but simply "the candidate" and that we meet folks like Cornel West (by name) is a hint to me that there is much of a roman à clef about this.

That said, the novel as a whole doesn't work for me because despite the first person narration, I could not really connect with the protagonist. There is a spiritual journey thread that is too slight and scantily explored. I also think that the fact that the protagonist has a child - a daughter - is oddly handled. Her existence doesn't seem to weigh on him as much as it might - and if, in fact, this character has a tenuous relationship with his daughter and her role in his life is a matter of tension, it's just not coherently incorporated into the rest of his character (except perhaps at the end). There are lengthy conversations about basketball which, I suppose, are supposed to afford analogies and metaphors, but end up being tedious, unfortunately.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sharing the book.

I don't really know what to make of this book. I didn't dislike it... The writing is good, there are some great scenes, but good writers don't necessarily make good novelists. I kept asking myself: what is the overarching story the author really wants to tell me? Is there enough interesting material here?

The book tells the story of David, a young New Yorker who joins the Obama campaign in 2008, organising fundraising events. A great setting for a novel, but where I hoped for either plot or political insights, it turned out to be more of a (late) coming of age novel.

The start is promising but then it sort of keeps rippling along without much happening. I had also hoped to learn more about the importance and reality of 'campaigning' in American politics - which is very different from other countries.

David is a sympathetic enough guy, rather religious and likes to talk about it (I found him more convincing when he talked about basketball though). He has a small kid, which he never has to take care of and speaks of surprisingly little - he's basically always at work or talking to someone about religion...

I had the feeling this was more 'writing a book because I have talent and should do something with my Obama campaign experience' than that there was an urgent story to be told.

I can see other people like this more than me though.

Many thanks for the ARC to Netgalley and the publisher!

Great Expectations in a fictionalized account of Barack Obama's presidential campaign through the eyes of a young employee. David is quite young, merely 21 when he falls into his position. The story is a coming of age tale as he details his daily work and interactions with others on the campaign. The "Candidate" or "Senator" is the backdrop or foil that allows David to examine his own thoughts on religion, race and family.

It's an intelligent read and also a great reminder of what times were like only a few years ago. I was somewhat distraught by David's cavalier attitude towards his child though and family in general. It isn't until the end of the book that you maybe understand him a bit better and hear more about his family. David is almost a Nick Carraway character in the story and I think he would resonate better with me if he had less ties to a family. I enjoyed the book, but in my opinion, it could have had a stronger point of view.

This is a fun read for those wishing for Barack, or a new Barack, those interested in politics as a sport and of course coming of age for a young African American Man.
.#RandomHouse #GreatExpectations #VinsonCunninham

DNF- This book just wasn’t for me. Sounded interesting from the descriptions on NetGalley and Good Reads but it failed to grasp my attention. I found it difficult to be interested in the story and while I do have an interest in politics and reading about politics, I had to desire to continue reading. I do think it was well written. Just not my cup of tea.

In the early days of the presidential campaign of a senator seeking to become the nation's first black president, David is hired to work for the campaign. As part of the team responsible for raising money, David sees up close the intersections (and tensions) between the aspirational and what it takes to win. Over the course of the campaign, David interacts with a range of people, from the candidate himself, to fellow campaign staffers, to donors, to voters, which causes him to reflect on identity (his own and the country's), faith, family, and fatherhood.

This is a powerful book. Taking as its basis what seem to be real-life events, it offers a deep and insightful exploration of what it means to transform yourself, and the country, and the core values and compromises that can involve. This is a book you'll continue to think about long after you complete it.

Highly recommended.

Great Expectations follows David as he lucks into a job working the presidential campaign of 'The Senator'. While Cunningham never states that The Senator is Barack Obama, it is all but said with the details and descriptions given. That is what drew me into this book from the start. I was hoping the pages were filled with the ups and downs of the 2008 presidential campaign, with fictional anecdotes of Senator Obama and his campaign staff. While that was present here and there, the novel was more focused on David's personal journey as he figured out who he was in this new world he happened to find himself immersed in.

From the ARC description, I knew religion would be a discussed topic in the novel, but I was surprised at just how much & how deeply it was discussed. At times it did detour me from reading. While I was not infatuated with the religious discussion and themes, I recognize it was pertinent to David's experience and story, and thus important to include in the book.

Overall, it was not my cup of tea, but I can see it being a big hit with others.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on Goodreads.

I loved Vinson's writing! This book takes you thr0ugh the inner workings of a presidential campaign while also following the life of the main character during this time. I def recommend this one!

When I heard Vinson Cunningham had a novel coming out, I was very excited--I've been a fan of his New Yorker work for years now. GREAT EXPECTATIONS does not disappoint. The debut tells the story of a young man who falls into working for the presidential campaign of an Obama figure (he's never named, though every detail suggests its Obama). He finds some success here, and in meeting various figures, the life he led before this gig unfolds, alongside discussions of art, history, religion. It's a quietly engrossing novel, with a small twist in the end I did not see coming (I use "twist" lightly). Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!