Reviews

These publishers have done a good service by publishing this 1967 work, a vital addition to the literary production of the Black Arts Movement. I'd only read William Melvin Kelley’s other book, A Different Drummer, and was so taken by this author and his beautiful and accessible prose, even when he is describing difficult subjects. With this book (and with A Different Drummer), I recommend reading the recent New Yorker article about the author's fascinating and tragic life: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/01/29/the-lost-giant-of-american-literature

ellensmith's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I think I liked it enough? It was really strange. Thought provoking, though.

mikhailareads's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is Black excellence. William Melvin Kelley’s writing is deeply insightful, complex. It makes you truly question the relationships you are involved in and the ways that your actions contribute to the feelings of the people you love. Kelley is brilliant at developing his characters with nuance. To write a story about the complications between race while telling such a profound story is a skill in and of itself but Kelley does so much more with the great narrative.

ellensmith's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I think I liked it enough? It was really strange. Thought provoking, though.

More...