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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
// Liberté, égalité, fraternité ... Ou non? // Black expat life in France, circa 1960
• THE STONE FACE by William Gardner Smith, 1963, reissued by NYRB @nyrbooks in 2021.
Quite an immersive story, this one.
In this loose autobiographical novel, Smith constructs his fictional alter ego, Simeon Brown, a young Black artist and writer from Philadelphia who relocates to Paris in 1960 after a series of violent racially motivated assaults. In one of these incidents, Simeon loses his right eye.
In Paris, he joins a vibrant community of expatriates from Europe, the Caribbean, and the US - and is amazed by the way he is received with open arms in France. He starts a relationship with a Polish Holocaust survivor, befriends other artists and musicians, and enjoys the night life.
This welcoming and friendly French spirit is not extended to everyone, however; Simeon does not go long before he witnesses police brutality and rampant racism towards France's Arab / Muslim population, primarily Algerians. He befriends an Algerian medical student and hears hauntingly familiar stories of brutal racism that he has encountered in the US, now perpetuated by the same country that has welcomed him so warmly.
"He could not help thinking about race in Paris or anywhere. How can you help thinking about the thing that dominates your life?" (pg 116)
A fascinating short novel of perspective and social consciousness, also capturing a specific time of decolonization.
Continually grateful for NYRB reprinting materials long out of print and bringing them to the fore. This would be a great book to study in university or a book club, as it is sure to spark discussion.
• THE STONE FACE by William Gardner Smith, 1963, reissued by NYRB @nyrbooks in 2021.
Quite an immersive story, this one.
In this loose autobiographical novel, Smith constructs his fictional alter ego, Simeon Brown, a young Black artist and writer from Philadelphia who relocates to Paris in 1960 after a series of violent racially motivated assaults. In one of these incidents, Simeon loses his right eye.
In Paris, he joins a vibrant community of expatriates from Europe, the Caribbean, and the US - and is amazed by the way he is received with open arms in France. He starts a relationship with a Polish Holocaust survivor, befriends other artists and musicians, and enjoys the night life.
This welcoming and friendly French spirit is not extended to everyone, however; Simeon does not go long before he witnesses police brutality and rampant racism towards France's Arab / Muslim population, primarily Algerians. He befriends an Algerian medical student and hears hauntingly familiar stories of brutal racism that he has encountered in the US, now perpetuated by the same country that has welcomed him so warmly.
"He could not help thinking about race in Paris or anywhere. How can you help thinking about the thing that dominates your life?" (pg 116)
A fascinating short novel of perspective and social consciousness, also capturing a specific time of decolonization.
Continually grateful for NYRB reprinting materials long out of print and bringing them to the fore. This would be a great book to study in university or a book club, as it is sure to spark discussion.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
medium-paced
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
quite a slow read
challenging
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated