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pagingdrmudkip's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
LaValle’s interpretation of the Horror at Red Hook not only improves upon the original source material, it drastically overshadows it. The altered character perspective provides a unique narrative deeply missing from most cosmic/Lovecraftian stories. It didn’t take very long to really understand and sympathize with the characters, particularly Tom, something that Lovecraft himself struggled to do in most of his writing.
My only real criticism is that you can tell that LaValle really hasn’t found his full potential in this earlier work, and I wish this work would have been created later in his career so it could’ve been even better. There are several moments that have repetitive phrases and bizarre wording. Some of the character development was also teased, but not really expanded upon.
At the end of the day, if you are a fan of cosmic/Lovecraftian horror, this is a must read.
My only real criticism is that you can tell that LaValle really hasn’t found his full potential in this earlier work, and I wish this work would have been created later in his career so it could’ve been even better. There are several moments that have repetitive phrases and bizarre wording. Some of the character development was also teased, but not really expanded upon.
At the end of the day, if you are a fan of cosmic/Lovecraftian horror, this is a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I understand this is a reimagining of the H.P. Lovecraft book, The Call of Cthulhu. I haven't read any Lovecraft books, but I suspect they are reflective of the time during which they were written and not as socially conscious as many modern readers would prefer. In The Ballad of Black Tom, author Victor LaValle has established a racially biased and unequal setting where the main character, Tom Tester, lives a life where he is subjugated to the white population, despite his significant intellect and social charms. Tom is a street hustler, but skillful knowing when he must humble himself to survive, such as when he's questioned by the white police for no good reason. Tom knows how to play the part while an anger of discontent wells up within him, brought to a boil when his gentle, elderly father is gunned down during a baseless home invasion perpetrated by the police.
The author tells a story that answers the question, how far would a man go to flip the order and come out on top of his oppressors. Could someone be beat down so badly and feeling such grief for the loss of their contentment that they would strike a bargain with the devil? This novella is rich in world building and creates a very palpable dynamic between the main characters. There are a lot of eerie scenarios described in the book and experienced by Tom, but always looking for the best opportunity, Tom keeps a clear head and weighs his odds to come up with the decision that's best for him.
This book blends historical fiction, horror, and fantasy, but it's never taken too far outside the natural world we know. That happens just enough to catch glimpses into the possibilities that entice Tom and others to gamble on leaving the life they know to pursue the glory that can be found in other dimensions. It's a clever story and I was thoroughly entertained. I listened to the audiobook and found the narration of Kevin R. Free to be mesmerizing and especially suited to this story.
The author tells a story that answers the question, how far would a man go to flip the order and come out on top of his oppressors. Could someone be beat down so badly and feeling such grief for the loss of their contentment that they would strike a bargain with the devil? This novella is rich in world building and creates a very palpable dynamic between the main characters. There are a lot of eerie scenarios described in the book and experienced by Tom, but always looking for the best opportunity, Tom keeps a clear head and weighs his odds to come up with the decision that's best for him.
This book blends historical fiction, horror, and fantasy, but it's never taken too far outside the natural world we know. That happens just enough to catch glimpses into the possibilities that entice Tom and others to gamble on leaving the life they know to pursue the glory that can be found in other dimensions. It's a clever story and I was thoroughly entertained. I listened to the audiobook and found the narration of Kevin R. Free to be mesmerizing and especially suited to this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Police brutality, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Death, Murder, Racism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcohol
Minor: Grief
duckizza's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Xenophobia, Murder, Hate crime, Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
virgilsinferno's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A solid novella that puts a new perspective on Lovecraftian horror. Sprinkled throughout are upsetting moments that make it hit that much more and not just because of the cosmic monsters. Overall a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
e_l_k's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The dedication reads "For H.P. Lovecraft, with all my conflicted feelings." Little else can summarize what is special about this little book. It turns Lovecraft's fear rooted in bigotry on its head to tell a story of hidden magics and the aggressions of society, and the hell they unleash within one poor Black man. "What was indifference compared to malice?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Gun violence, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Suicide
eficca33's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was a fairly short read but IMPACTFUL! It was sad and difficult to read at points (because of the sadness nothing) but necessary to read. This story is so nuanced in such a short amount of pages. Kudos to LaVelle. I will absolutely be looking forward to reading more of their work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Gaslighting, and Torture
saintgroovy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is a gut-punch in the best of ways. Wrapping racially motivated violence with the occult and the most bittersweet stories of apocalyptic revenge, The Ballad of Black Tom was an experience I’m glad to have had. In the end, you can only see yourself how much Charles Thomas Tester has lost at the hands of violently bigoted white cops, and ask yourself what’s sweeter: avenging your family or escaping with your soul.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Gun violence, Gore, and Murder
tey_lynn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Racism, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, Racial slurs, Violence, Gun violence, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
bookwyrmlady's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Decent Lovecraftian story with commentary on early 1920's racism in NYC. The plot fell apart towards the end and some lines were a little hokey. I enjoyed it well enough though and the climax was solid despite my complaints.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Racial slurs, and Racism
minayana's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A really fun and quick read. I haven’t read the Lovecraft book this is based on, so I can’t say how it compares. The author does a great job creating a creepy atmospheric setting with some really beautiful writing. I really enjoyed Tom as a main character. I don’t think this needed to be a full length novel, but I think it definitely would’ve benefited with maybe 30-40 more pages. It was a bit disappointing not being to see Tom evolve, as it was done off screen, but it also made it more mysterious so it just depends on what you prefer. I also would’ve liked the immigrant characters to have an actual role. They were mentioned quite often, but none of them even had a line. There are also no female characters in this book, other than a supernatural entity. The book touches on racism, classism and police brutality in a really effective way. Overall, it’s a great novella that you can finish in one sitting. I recently purchased Lone Women by this author, and I can’t wait to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, Body horror, Death, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Classism