Genre: Literary Fiction
Disclaimer: Reading is all about exploring, but this Book Review does not shy away from spoiling specific scenes as this is more of a look inside the good and bad of a book.
The Analysis:
I found this book through a book review podcast I listen to. Here are my thoughts.
Heres the Blurb:
The reasons for this desperate burst of violence and the consequences that spring from it lie at the heart of Deacon King Kong, James McBride’s funny, moving novel and his first since his National Book Award–winning The Good Lord Bird. In Deacon King Kong, McBride brings to vivid life the people affected by the shooting: the victim, the African-American and Latinx residents who witnessed it, the white neighbors, the local cops assigned to investigate, the members of the Five Ends Baptist Church where Sportcoat was deacon, the neighborhood’s Italian mobsters, and Sportcoat himself.
As the story deepens, it becomes clear that the lives of the characters—caught in the tumultuous swirl of 1960s New York—overlap in unexpected ways. When the truth does emerge, McBride shows us that not all secrets are meant to be hidden, that the best way to grow is to face change without fear, and that the seeds of love lie in hope and compassion.
Now The Story:
Book Info:
Pages: 383
Author: James McBride
Available: On Kindle
I love it. The story has its own voice and is unintentionally funny. Born out of realistic characters who sometimes say silly things. It is set in a time gone buy, yet anyone familiar with the projects will recognize some of the old timers. Or at least how realistic their unrealistic thoughts are.
For one thing I had at least three reasonable theories as to why Deacon King Kong tried to kill a drug dealer. None of which seemed to occur to the myriad of characters in this book. I found that funny and slightly annoying.
Truths, tidbits and backstories are revealed through short snippets that are relaid to the reader almost like fairytales. I appreciate it because it gives this story its own fingerprint, if you will. I only skimmed a handful times, but don’t beat yourself up if you skim more. Its a lot.
This story however is not about Deacon and his murder attempt. Moreover the communities reaction to it. Like any story with multiple characters, if you’re not immediately attached to that particular pov it can get hard to read.
Towards the later parts of the third act, I was getting reader fatigue.
Thinking back on it the book could be shorter. I was getting tired of a priceless statue worth billions being called soup. By the third act cut out some of the philosophy, descriptions of places, and people. Like im trying to see the end, and i was growing frustrated. Like what are we still talking about.
Side note: Being inside the drug dealers and bosses head was hard at times. Like I see it in real life, I don’t want to be here, kind of a thing. Very well written and realistic. At times I kept thinking, if you tweaked your thinking slightly, you could be in a better place for yourself, but it doesn’t even occur to you. You need your hand held to the promise land, sort of speak. So sad.
As an author and African American 5/5, I would totally recommend this book as a look inside the black community at a particular era. That still holds teeth in communities today.
Story At A Glance:
Recommendation: But as a reader, overall, 4/5.
The Ratings:
Book Cover Appeal (based on the new cover):
🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
Story & Narration:
🍓🍓🍓🍓
Romance:
🍓🍓🍓
Character/(s) Personality:
🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓
