Thug Notes: An Urban-Informed Take on Classic Literature

Italo Silva Santos: Nice travel partner

Germany on Aug 27, 2021

Joseph J. Truncale: As someone who enjoys all kinds of literature from old American and English classics to poetry and westerns, as well as being a street smart person having been raised on the streets of Chicago, I am always looking for unusual books. When I saw this 288 page soft cover volume (Thug Notes: A street smart guide to classic literature by Sparky Sweets, Ph.D.) on Amazon for a bargain price I purchased it.

I found the author’s approach to be interesting, unique, funny, amusing and horrible at the same time. The author is obviously educated and he gives an overview of numerous classics such as Romeo and Juliet, to kill a mocking bird, pride and prejudice, Frankenstein, the invisible man, Moby dick, Hamlet, Fahrenheit 451 and numerous other great books. His use of hip hop language I am sure appeals to some people; however, the use of (I would say misuse) the English language reviewing these books got to be very tedious and boring.

If you are seeking a completely different approach to learning about some of the classics of American literature you may find some value in this book, but if you are not into the street thug language this book will be a boring read for most...

United States on Jan 25, 2019

Carbon M: This book is informative, funny & interesting throughout! It’s a great way to show someone, who isn’t into reading, classic literature in modern terms. I’m very happy with this purchase!

Canada on Sep 18, 2018

Phil Buckley: A hilarious take on some of the best works of English literature. A well-organised and easy-to-understand book containing synopses and analyses of anything from 'Fahrenheit 451' to 'Romeo and Juliet' (and it complements the YouTube videos perfectly).

United Kingdom on May 12, 2017

Carl393: Simply a repeat of whatever you see on YouTube in prose.

Great for someone who can't type youtube.com

I'm happy to give the publisher a few bucks for the book though as it is funny and probably goes to supporting the channel.

Canada on Jan 13, 2017

Maddy: This is the perfect gift for people who like to read, and people who don't. For those who like to read, this book, based off the YouTube videos by Wisecrack, will provide entertaining "translations" of well-known classics into "thug" language. For those who don't like to read, this could be a great way to summarize for them what the classics that everyone seems to be talking about... are about. Either way, it's hilarious to see how an O.G. might do an oral book report.

If you're sensitive to foul language, this book won't be for you.

United States on Jun 02, 2016

ashleym: This book is written extremely well in the style of Sarky Sweet's youtube videos. I can hear his voice in my head reading it, and it flows perfectly. The same amount of humor is there, and each book review has at least double the detail compared to the online youtube videos of each.

The issue for me is that as a fan who has followed thug notes every week, during the time it is active, I've already seen the analysis of each of the books analyzed in this Thug Notes book format, which leaves a level of redundancy. I was fully expecting there it be books he's already done online. I was hoping for just a few he has not in this book as a treat for the die hard fans. Ya know, something new for people who bought it. But there isn't any new material: just an expansion on what he's already done, which is shame because if there had just been a few unanaylized books in this I would totally rate it five stars. However, I bought the e-book, so 10 bucks is a more the far price, but I would not have found the hardback price a fair deal.

But for a buyer who has not experienced the youtube channel book reviews, this is completely worth the buy.

United States on Jan 18, 2016

Work-a-day Joe: If you know Thug Notes, the YouTube channel, then you know what you're getting, here. If not, check it out, first. I love the concept of making great classic literature more accessible to a wider audience, especially the inner city youth who might otherwise miss out on these. But, I'm not certain this is going to deliver an attractive incentive to read to that audience. I have a sense the primary market is either going to be, or is by intent, an already much more well-read audience. Most people who buy this will probably do so for kicks. It's the kind of book you break out when you want to impress a date as to how sublime and erudite your sense of humor is. But, maybe, just maybe, it'll increase readership and literacy in an under-read urban youth.

United States on Jan 17, 2016

Miyako K.: Reasons why you need this book:

-Thug vocabulary so young people actually understand what's happening in the classic lit books they have to read in school
-Every high school teaches at least one of the pieces of literature mentioned in this book
-It comes with themes and important quotations that have been "thug-ified" to make sense (especially the Shakespeare quotations)
-Great teaching aide, as it makes the reader formulate their own opinions surrounding the literature being studied
-Based off of the YouTube channel, Wisecrack. so you don't even have to read this book either (if you're that freaking lazy)

This book is a great way to engage that one kid in your English class that wanted to die instead of learn about Fahrenheit 451. If anything, this book will at least make you laugh and give you a different perspective on the famous lit pieces you are studying or have studied. It's a great gift for an English teacher who has troubles with engaging their classes in a good discussion. 11/10

Canada on Dec 24, 2015

The Nightgaunt: I've been a fan of Sparky Sweets educational series on YouTube for a while now and I was quick to pre-order his book when it was announced.

Thug Notes is a playful, somewhat tongue-in-cheek literary analysis of some of the great works of literature. The author covers works like Hamlet, The Great Gatsby and To Kill a Mockingbird explaining them and their themes.

While the book is written in something of a "street" style of casual speech, the real genius of Thug Notes is the author's analysis. He describes each book's characters, events, and themes in a way that is wonderfully clear and meaningful, and even explains why each book is important. I've personally read about 3/4 of the books covered in Thug Notes and the rest I was never able to finish due to boredom or an inability to cope with the language used. It wasn't until I read the chapter in Thug Notes on Crime and Punishment that I really ever understood what Dostoevsky was trying to say.

Reading the Cliff's Notes on a book is a bland experience akin to reading the Wikipedia article for that book. In contrast, Thug Notes is like sitting down with a good friend who can articulately explain to you the book...

United States on Aug 18, 2015