I Am Not Sidney Poitier Audiobook By Percival Everett cover art

I Am Not Sidney Poitier

A Novel

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I Am Not Sidney Poitier

By: Percival Everett
Narrated by: Amir Abdullah
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About this listen

I Am Not Sidney Poitier is an irresistible comic novel from the master storyteller Percival Everett

I was, in life, to be a gambler, a risk-taker, a swashbuckler, a knight. I accepted, then and there, my place in the world. I was a fighter of windmills. I was a chaser of whales. I was Not Sidney Poitier.

Not Sidney Poitier is an amiable young man in an absurd country. The sudden death of his mother orphans him at age eleven, leaving him with an unfortunate name, an uncanny resemblance to the famous actor, and, perhaps more fortunate, a staggering number of shares in the Turner Broadcasting Corporation.

Percival Everett's hilarious new novel follows Not Sidney's tumultuous life, as the social hierarchy scrambles to balance his skin color with his fabulous wealth. Maturing under the less-than watchful eye of his adopted foster father, Ted Turner, Not gets arrested in rural Georgia for driving while black, sparks a dinner table explosion at the home of his manipulative girlfriend, and sleuths a murder case in Smut Eye, Alabama, all while navigating the recurrent communication problem: "What's your name?" a kid would ask. "Not Sidney," I would say. "Okay, then what is it?"

©2009 Percival Everett (P)2023 Tantor
African American Satire Comedy Funny Witty Fostering
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What listeners say about I Am Not Sidney Poitier

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Who are you, exactly?

The ironies, play on words, double entendres, Clever and witty take on mistaken identities. Loved it!

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A special adventure into self

I loved the ending and the unexpected road to getting there. What an imagination. “I am not myself today.”

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I am Not Mr. Tibbs

This story will be more fun if before reading,you refresh your familiarity with Sidney Poitier's flimography. Not coincidentally, Poitier's work is available for viewing on Turner Classic Movie TCM. 'In the Heat of the Night' is a good place to start. It's still a great movie.

And like all of his books, Everett's signature send up of racists, both black and white racists, is hilarious and remains fresh.

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The title says it all

I like this author. I listened to “James” and I was hooked. So I tried “not Sidney” and I wasn’t disappointed.

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2 people found this helpful

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Clever, humerous story skillfully narrated

Everett delivers an outstanding novel with skillful humor woven around characters and events of the mid-twentieth century in the South.

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Just a treat!!

The writing, the humor & the overall storyline, was just clever & cute! I had some good belly laughs. I am so glad I stumbled across this free, book in audible. I’m not sure why there are so few ratings because Percival has a few great books out there. I truly enjoyed this little hidden treasure :)

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1 person found this helpful

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Curiously creative, quixotically correct.

This being my first introduction to the author Percieval Everett, so intrigued to see what's next.

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Fun, funny, charming and often brutally honest

Seriously, what a pleasant listen. The story was varied, inventive, wry, rich with sideways social commentary. The narrator was very talented, with fine pacing and good voice variety. I enjoyed it so much I bought another of the authors books.

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Funniest book ever - told all my reading friends and fam

This novel was a gift of joy delight and fun I gave to myself and relished every chapter.

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It's a great story and a fun listen!

I highly recommend this entertaining book! Inventive, insightful, and funny. I am looking forward to reading more from Percival Everett. Amir Abdullah is an excellent narrator!

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