Reviews

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

anita81's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

mdesr089's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

3.75

livlatte's review

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

This book got me back into reading.

emberreece's review

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Anything that deals with Lovecraft in a unique way gets great praise from me.

what_the_puck's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

gaseous_radish's review

dark medium-paced

3.75

badseedgirl's review

5.0

In general, I am not a fan of Cthulhu mythos or weird fiction, but I really enjoyed this story. Maybe because the plot was character driven. I should probably try other Cthulhu novel in the future.

precious72's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense

4.0

inusays's review

dark 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

5.0

aliciagw's review against another edition

dark 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

5.0

A novella which is based upon H.P. Lovecraft's "A Horror at Red Hook".  It is told from the perspective of a Black man named Charles Thomas Tester, who ends up being known as, I'm sure your guessed it, Black Tom.

I found it to be an interesting and exciting story, written and told well.  It was a quick read.

I had not actually read "A Horror at Red Hook" prior to reading this story, and I don't think it is really necessary.  The story stands well on it's own.  I ended up reading Red Hook after this, and found it a bit disappointing compared to this story.  I've never really been a Lovecraft fan I guess.