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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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? Yes
5.0
This was my second time reading Darktown, and it’s just as good as the first time. I’d forgotten how horrific the story was - I *knew* it was horrific but it’s different when the words and images are right there. In fact, I found it so upsetting that I almost quit reading it because it was too much for me. The book is excellent and I can’t recommend it enough but it’s so painful.
Darktown is a fictionalization of the first Black cops in Atlanta and the racism and hatred they experienced. The humiliations are endless; they’re powerless but are lauded by the Black community as being the first of a new era. The Blacks in Atlanta keep expecting more and more from the rookie cops, not realizing the indignity they endure on a regular basis.
The novel is well-written with lots of detail that’s clearly based on in-depth research. The characters are fleshed out with nuance and self-doubt, aware that someday - maybe - things will get better for Black people but doubtful all the same.
This is the first of a series - the next two are equally good.
Darktown is a fictionalization of the first Black cops in Atlanta and the racism and hatred they experienced. The humiliations are endless; they’re powerless but are lauded by the Black community as being the first of a new era. The Blacks in Atlanta keep expecting more and more from the rookie cops, not realizing the indignity they endure on a regular basis.
The novel is well-written with lots of detail that’s clearly based on in-depth research. The characters are fleshed out with nuance and self-doubt, aware that someday - maybe - things will get better for Black people but doubtful all the same.
This is the first of a series - the next two are equally good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
caterpillar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
it took me about 40 pages to get into the writing style, but once i did, i was hooked. this book is a super-engaging and mysterious narrative about the first black police officers in atlanta in 1948. one thing that did bother me while reading was the very frequent usage of the n-word; it makes sense with the setting of the book, but it was still off-putting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence