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A character can be racist, sexist and homophobic without an author being so ;-) ! An author would have to be none of the above for him to be able to show us a character who is.
Would love to hear some of the inconsistencies ;-) .... as I didn't catch any.

Ah, I feel like I should defend this book considering that I just read it and came away with pretty much exactly the opposite impression.

The main character is anything BUT racist, sexist or homophobic. Race is important in this story, as is sexual orientation and the treatment of women. I believe that is why it captures the essence of this country so well. It would be racist to pretend that race is not an issue in the US, but it is. And pointing that out is not racist. It's necessary.

Bah! If anyone were to ask me what my most hated book is, I would still say this one.

I understand that race is an issue in the US (I am Canadian, I just live in NZ), but I don't think that noting only the black characters is tantamount to addressing the issue. It's almost like when a person is talking about someone they know and mentions off the bat that they are gay (and the conversation is not about sexuality). I also remember him mentioning Walmart and Coca Cola a lot. What was that about?

Obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinions of the books they read... and, to be fair, I am hyper-critical of authors.

I have a suspicion that if I reread this book, I would still loathe it. Thankfully, I no longer own it, so I'll stick with my initial assessment.

Well, there are some books that just rub me the wrong way and yet everyone seems to think that they are absolute masterpieces, so I know I won't change your mind and won't even try. I just wanted to add my two cents for whatever reason (honestly, I'm not even sure why I responded to your review. I guess I just finished reading it, closed the book and was wowed and then I saw your review and thought: really?)

But yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect yours. I still think that in regards to the black characters, their race actually played a big part in the story. It wasn't about some guy next door or a someone you meet on the bus and talk about the weather. One guy was from St. Louis and the other was a truck driver whose brother managed to get a higher education and became a journalist. Both stories would not be the same if these characters' race wasn't mentioned. I get what you're saying though. I agree, what's the point in mentioning someone's race or sexual orientation if it means nothing in the context.

I don't remember Walmart or Coca Cola mentioned at all... I already returned the book to the library, so I can't even browse for it. Maybe you're thinking of another book? JK :)

First Tuesday Book Club ABC Australia

Gosh, I wonder what you would think about the author's of books about Nazis or serial murderers. *wink wink*

Are you sure you read the same book? I haven't noticed any inconsistencies either, and I've read this book several times. Smithy does not come across as racist or homophobic. He just seems uncomfortable in his own skin and therefore awkward with everyone. Blacks aren't the only race or culture he speaks of either. What about the Navajo Indian he meets and befriends at the side of the road, or his sister's one-time fiancé, Jeff, that was Jewish, or the Hispanic guy at the Exxon station that fixes the tires on his bike when they inexplicably blow out? Not sure where the Oedipean references are either. Perhaps you used a wrong term?

Wow. Racist homophobic and sexist is what you gleaned here? I couldn't disagree more and think your levels for triggering those words may be a little too low. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.