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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
I got a slow start on this book, but the author did a brilliant job of tying together all the characters in such a rich way. A book full of grace.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
James Mcbride writes great books! As always, a slow burn. Takes time to build the characters but it's worth the pay off.
This book is a little hard to get into at first because there are so many characters and so many details but once the story gets going, it gets going reaaaaal good. Reaaaal good. Man, this book is good!!!
You saw Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, right? I know it's been a while, but that's still one of my favorite movies ever. If you haven't seen it, go watch it right now.
There's a character in the movie played by Ossie Davis named Da Mayor. He's a run-down drunk whose deep wisdom is hidden behind a rumpled sportscoat and beat-up hat. I'm pretty sure author James McBride loved that character. My best guess is that for Deacon King Kong, McBride took the character of Da Mayor, created a detailed backstory, and then plopped him at the center of another Brooklyn-based neighborhood plot. There's a healthy dose of The Wire mixed in, too.
Deacon King Kong is the story of a Black and Latinx housing project in south Brooklyn populated by a huge range of characters, each with a wild nickname. Like Do the Right Thing, there's an important Italian family nearby with complicated connections to the Black community. Nearly everyone in the project is poor and the rise of drug-dealing rests oddly at ease alongside the strivers and the devout church-goers. Sportcoat (yeah, he's Da Mayor), always sauced, shoots the young neighborhood drug king, sparking the rest of the plot.
For me, the colorful characters and compelling setting aren't quite enough. I found it slow at times and not really funny. If you've read it, please let me know what you think.
There's a character in the movie played by Ossie Davis named Da Mayor. He's a run-down drunk whose deep wisdom is hidden behind a rumpled sportscoat and beat-up hat. I'm pretty sure author James McBride loved that character. My best guess is that for Deacon King Kong, McBride took the character of Da Mayor, created a detailed backstory, and then plopped him at the center of another Brooklyn-based neighborhood plot. There's a healthy dose of The Wire mixed in, too.
Deacon King Kong is the story of a Black and Latinx housing project in south Brooklyn populated by a huge range of characters, each with a wild nickname. Like Do the Right Thing, there's an important Italian family nearby with complicated connections to the Black community. Nearly everyone in the project is poor and the rise of drug-dealing rests oddly at ease alongside the strivers and the devout church-goers. Sportcoat (yeah, he's Da Mayor), always sauced, shoots the young neighborhood drug king, sparking the rest of the plot.
For me, the colorful characters and compelling setting aren't quite enough. I found it slow at times and not really funny. If you've read it, please let me know what you think.
funny
hopeful
medium-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
This one took me a little longer to get into but once I was in, I was in. It’s definitely character driven, so those who prefer fast paced and action filled probably won’t care for this.
There are a lot of characters, which is as part of the reason I had so much trouble getting into it. Once I figured out who everyone was I really enjoyed the story. It’s bittersweet, but such a good soul cleansing read.
There are a lot of characters, which is as part of the reason I had so much trouble getting into it. Once I figured out who everyone was I really enjoyed the story. It’s bittersweet, but such a good soul cleansing read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
NYC takes place in the 1960’s projects.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars!
This took me A WHILE to get into, but once I finally did I loved it.
This took me A WHILE to get into, but once I finally did I loved it.
Such a fun read! Every character in this book could have their own story and there would still be more to unravel. Definitely recommend!