Support NeoGAF

[Snaku]

Um, why don't 'pearls' just mate among themselves?

Jungle fever.

 

[Deified Data]

Book trailers?

C'mon. Seriously?

Know what's weird? These crappy vanity-published jobs are the only books I ever see put out "trailers". It's like a way of screaming to the world "Hey! No reputable publisher would touch this!"

 

[cloudwalking]

Fuck it. I'm going to read this book. But I'm going to make sure I read it from cover to cover....completely. fucking. drunk.

This is either going to make me laugh or make me cry.

Let's do this.

i just read the free kindle excerpt. and if i was going to read more i'd make sure i was shitfaced drunk too, because it's pretty bad so far.

 

[Kenai]

But you guys, she knows what racism feels like!

(snip)

I just... I can't.

Spoiler

Also, dat parenthetical.

I thought the "if such a category still exists" part would not be topped, but that...that is just something special.

I feel like I should maybe be offended but I just laughed really loudly.

 

[Buddha Beam]

The real question is... what is the author's Hate-Rate towards non-whites?

What's everyone's Mate-Rate?

Well, I'm white and have a decent job, but I also have a small penis. So... probably maybe an 8/100?

 

[MWS Natural]

How exactly is this book racist? It sounds like social commentary.

 

[shintoki]

All just hating on the next New York Times Best Seller!

Don't think this is a joke either. =[

 

[agrajag]

If you have power, then it makes sense to name yourself after power. Pearls are pretty, but they're useless and powerless, and those traits can be very ugly.

coals are something you throw in the chimney and set on fire

 

[Deified Data]

If you have power, then it makes sense to name yourself after power. Pearls are pretty, but they're useless and powerless, and those traits can be very ugly.

I think you're assuming she put a lot more thought into it than she did. Coal is black, dirty, and ugly. Pearls are pale, beautiful, and valuable. I think that's really the extent of her "symbolism".

But sometimes...coal can become diamonds.

You're welcome.

 

[KO Traveling Hobo]

coals are something you throw in the chimney and set on fire

Coal is fuel. Fuel is power.

I think you're assuming she put a lot more thought into it than she did. Coal is black, dirty, and ugly. Pearls are pale, beautiful, and valuable. I think that's really the extent of her "symbolism".

This is definitely possible.

But sometimes...coal can become diamonds.

You're welcome.

Beautiful. :')

 

[Monocle]

I'm so looking forward to the movie.

"Ronson Bramford" is an amazing name. I think I'll bestow it on my next cat.

 

[shintoki]

I think you're assuming she put a lot more thought into it than she did. Coal is black, dirty, and ugly. Pearls are pale, beautiful, and valuable. I think that's really the extent of her "symbolism".

Both are made up of Calcium Carbonate though. Really, deep down, we are all the same.

 

[agrajag]

Coal is fuel. Fuel is power.This is definitely possible.

It's still stupid. No one would want to be called motherfucking coal.

 

[web01]

It sounds somewhat interesting and it is just a book do not need to make such a big deal out of it.

 

[watershed]

I like that the main black character is also a hybrid beast man (I think?), its a beauty and the beast type relationship between him and the pearl girl, and she can't resist the heat. Its all so progressive.

 

[KO Traveling Hobo]

It's still stupid. No one would want to be called motherfucking coal.

Why? Got a problem with the color black, racist?

 

[magicstop]

It sounds somewhat interesting and it is just a book do not need to make such a big deal out of it.

 

[cloudwalking]

also, this book, Noughts and Crosses, has a very similar premise but MUCH better reviews.

i haven't read it (don't read a lot of YA stuff) but i've heard it's good and handles the whole reverse-racism future society much better.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0552546321/

 

[freenudemacusers]

Why? Got a problem with the color black, racist?

Ever hear of white coal, double-racist!?

 

[ViewtifulJC]

White Chocolate, inverse-racist

 

[Utako]

The South + Literacy is a scary prospect.

 

[remnant]

I don't think she's racist. Just an inexperienced writer.

It is possible to talk about race and not be trying to rewrite the Turner diaries.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

racists

 

[Funky Papa]

 

[Boken]

"Turns the tables on racism"

Literally turns the table on racism.

Seems like a good writer.

 

[KO Traveling Hobo]

Ever hear of white coal, double-racist!?

Oh god. My world is crumbling down around me.

 

[WiiRevolution1]

Reading this so hard. I love terrible books. This is gonna be hilarious.

Agreed. As soon as I get some money this will be one of my next books lol.

 

[SouthernDragon]

Is there something white that is seen in a traditionally derogatory manner?

I was trying to think of a hierarchy where white would suck and black would be awesome. There are black objects that have positive connotations, but I'm seriously struggling to think of something white that has historically and universally negative connotations.

 

[Enosh]

white flag

 

[Red Sutter]

Why would a society threatened to be eliminated by the fact that the temperature of earth has risen spend all of their time creating an elaborate caste system instead of, say, having everyone wear special suits, or just living underground or in domed cities?

 

[KO Traveling Hobo]

Is there something white that is seen in a traditionally derogatory manner?

I was trying to think of a hierarchy where white would suck and black would be awesome. There are black objects that have positive connotations, but I'm seriously struggling to think of something white that has historically and universally negative connotations.

Ash.

Why would a society threatened to be eliminated by the fact that the temperature of earth has risen spend all of their time creating an elaborate caste system instead of, say, having everyone wear special suits, or just living underground or in domed cities?

Welcome to humanity.

 

[Deified Data]

Why would a society threatened to be eliminated by the fact that the temperature of earth has risen spend all of their time creating an elaborate caste system instead of, say, having everyone wear special suits, or just living underground or in domed cities?

And if solar radiation has become harmful enough to be lethal to whites, it's probably going to kill blacks, too. Author thinks having melanin is a super power or something.

 

[kswiston]

Is there something white that is seen in a traditionally derogatory manner?

I was trying to think of a hierarchy where white would suck and black would be awesome. There are black objects that have positive connotations, but I'm seriously struggling to think of something white that has historically and universally negative connotations.

Chalk, bone, paste. They may not have overwhelmingly negative connotations, but pearls are traditionally thought to be beautiful, while coal is dirty. Black people would pick ebony or obsidian if they were running stuff.

EDIT: Especially when Latinos and Asians get tiger's eyes and amber as their descriptors. everyone gets precious stones or objects that are thought to be beautiful and black people get coal...

 

[KO Traveling Hobo]

Chalk, bone, paste. They may not have overwhelmingly negative connotations, but pearls are traditionally thought to be beautiful, while coal is dirty. Black people would pick ebony or obsidian if they were running stuff.

Those aren't negative at all.

 

[kswiston]

Those aren't negative at all.

If I said you had chalky or pasty skin, you would take it as a compliment?

 

[Deified Data]

Do Native Americans exist or have we finally been wiped out, er I mean, did she forget about us?


I guess we'd be tiger-eyes too. Cause all them tanned folk look alike.

If your Mate-Rate is above 50%, you have no right to complain.

 

[El Sloth]

I wonder how many people out there don't realize that "Latino" is not a race and Latinos actually come in all shades.

 

[Nafai1123]

This book sounds so stupid. I might just read it for the lols.

 

[Admiral Bone to Pick]

I wonder how many people out there don't realize that "Latino" is not a race and Latinos actually come in all shades.

I wonder how many people out there don't realize that race is an arbitrary social construct and that humans actually come in all shades.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

I wonder how many people out there don't realize that race is an arbitrary social construct and that humans actually come in all shades.

Like "coal" and "pearl"

 

[Deified Data]

It's possible I don't even exist, lulz. I was trolling for really bad fanfic the other day and found one where the author seriously thought if her modern day protagonists asked modern day Native Americans for help they show up on horses armed with bows and arrows...I can't...

If they don't it's their own loss. Only way to travel.

 

[El Sloth]

Like "coal" and "pearl"

I want the Tiger-Eye crayon. Crayola, hook me up.

 

[Alligatorjandro]

white people gotta have everything

 

[tkscz]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/victoria-foyt/interracial-relationships_b_1312303.html

The author talks about the book, I like this bit



Not only does she cast doubt on black people being readers, but she pulls the "my best friend is black" and "the get over it " double combo.

She's right, I'm black and I'm not reading this, instead, I'm reading Journey to the West, a GOOD epic novel.

 

[El Sloth]

I wonder how many people out there don't realize that race is an arbitrary social construct and that humans actually come in all shades.

Sure. Too bad society doesn't actually work like this. Maybe my grandchildren will have better luck in that regard.

But people keep mixing up their arbritary social categories!

 

[EmCeeGramr]

i hope there's a dance scene in which the tiger's-eyes show off their natural fiery soul and rhythm

 

[Deified Data]

Sure. Too bad society doesn't actually work like this. Maybe my grandchildren will have better luck in that regard.

They won't, and it's a mistake to assume as much. Best bet is to teach children to appreciate eachother's differences, not ignore that those differences exist.

 

[ivysaur12]

also, this book, Noughts and Crosses, has a very similar premise but MUCH better reviews.

i haven't read it (don't read a lot of YA stuff) but i've heard it's good and handles the whole reverse-racism future society much better.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0552546321/

Yeah, well, there might be a story here, somewhere with this concept. But if you're going to do a story like this, you need an incredible amount of tact and intelligence about the very real themes you're playing with. This author lacks both of those qualities.

 

[El Sloth]

i hope there's a dance scene in which the tiger's-eyes show off their natural fiery soul and rhythm

Tiger-Eye's who can't dance are lumped in with the pearls.

I wonder if gingers get special treatment.

 

[SouthernDragon]

white flag

Ash.

Chalk, bone, paste.

If I said you had chalky or pasty skin, you would take it as a compliment?

Thanks for pointing that out. If she'd gotten her conventions correct, she'd be "Chalk" and the ruling class "Obsidian".