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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
Thomas Mullen's DARKTOWN is a book set in the deeply racist American South of the late 1940s. The Atlanta Police Department has taken on a small team of black police officers as part of an experiment that is expected to fail. Hated by their white colleagues and divested of most of the authoritative powers that come with a police badge, this small band of officers struggle to gain respect in their own community. And when the murder of a young black girl appears to be covered up by unknown higher powers, racial tensions are set to hit breaking point.
Although an entertaining work of fiction - the thriller elements were engaging but fairly predictable - the most interesting and powerful aspects of this novel are the historical details. Initially the barrage of racist language feels jarring and excessive, but you soon become uncomfortably desensitised to its usage. Indeed, more uncomfortable is the casualness of much of the racism that was held at this time. This is a world where even the more liberally minded of white people bristle at the idea of black neighbours bringing down their house prices.
But perhaps most affecting of all are the true and horrific descriptions of what happened to many black soldiers when they returned home after the second world war. The Ku Klux Klan was powerful and had links with some of the upper echelons of society; lynchings were common and went unpunished. By juxtaposing these real life events with his fictional narrative of injustice, Mullen makes the reader confront the ugliness of human nature head-on.
There are no heroes in DARKTOWN. In a clever play on the novel's 'black and white' premise, the two protagonists, Boggs and Rakestraw, embody every shade under the sun. Whilst a sense of morality drives these characters, society prevents easy alliances, and it is to Mullen's credit that he doesn't force the companionship between these men beyond the realms of what would have been believable in this environment. Throughout the novel our perceptions of what is wrong and what is right are tested, and there are rarely conclusive answers to be found.
I thought this was a fantastic and thought provoking exploration of racism that, despite its period setting, feels timely and relevant. Indeed, recent news reports suggest that there is still deep-seated institutional racism in many parts of the US, and that although we may have come a long way from Mullen's DARKTOWN, there is still much more work to be done.
8/10
Although an entertaining work of fiction - the thriller elements were engaging but fairly predictable - the most interesting and powerful aspects of this novel are the historical details. Initially the barrage of racist language feels jarring and excessive, but you soon become uncomfortably desensitised to its usage. Indeed, more uncomfortable is the casualness of much of the racism that was held at this time. This is a world where even the more liberally minded of white people bristle at the idea of black neighbours bringing down their house prices.
But perhaps most affecting of all are the true and horrific descriptions of what happened to many black soldiers when they returned home after the second world war. The Ku Klux Klan was powerful and had links with some of the upper echelons of society; lynchings were common and went unpunished. By juxtaposing these real life events with his fictional narrative of injustice, Mullen makes the reader confront the ugliness of human nature head-on.
There are no heroes in DARKTOWN. In a clever play on the novel's 'black and white' premise, the two protagonists, Boggs and Rakestraw, embody every shade under the sun. Whilst a sense of morality drives these characters, society prevents easy alliances, and it is to Mullen's credit that he doesn't force the companionship between these men beyond the realms of what would have been believable in this environment. Throughout the novel our perceptions of what is wrong and what is right are tested, and there are rarely conclusive answers to be found.
I thought this was a fantastic and thought provoking exploration of racism that, despite its period setting, feels timely and relevant. Indeed, recent news reports suggest that there is still deep-seated institutional racism in many parts of the US, and that although we may have come a long way from Mullen's DARKTOWN, there is still much more work to be done.
8/10
A fantastic novel, and my only regret is not having read it sooner! It was a compelling book that accurately portrays the tension between the white and black communities in Atlanta. While the novel uses the murder to further the plot, the story delves deep into the racist culture during this time period. I absolutely loved the writing style employed here; I could feel every emotion described in the book. This is a dark, gripping novel that leaves no stone unturned as it follows the secret investigation of Boggs and Smith. I've read many mysteries and thrillers, many crime fiction stories, but this one was a whole new experience. Beautifully written and thought-provoking, I look forward to reading more by this author. This is a novel you don't want to miss out on.
For fans of L.A. Confidential and George Pelecanos. Always a good idea to keep these kinds of stories and tips on how to handle yourself in your back pocket from when violent and virulent racism makes its return.
I liked the idea of this book. It tells an important story. However, it felt really slow, and the story bored me, for the most part. I would have put it down were it not for the historical importance of it.