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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
3.5 stars, rounded up
Whew, this has been on my tbr list for a few years and I am glad that I took some time to get this one done. I completed this book almost exclusively via audiobook, and I maybe read only about 10% on my kindle, so this may effect my rating.
The good: I liked the plot of this book, it was truly a unique one. I think the concept was so well thought out that it made a truly genuine book. This is something I could easily see becoming a movie, which I think something like it is in the works. The author did a good job being authentic to the ways in which the characters were discussed. I enjoyed the context and the time taken to making the main character true. Sometimes the main character was a little annoying, and I actually like that about characters.
The (not so) good: I think some parts of the plot were under developed. I wish that some of the secondary characters were better detailed and flushed out because it was such a good read. I also think this is something that maybe could have been broken down into two books. The end wrapped up so fast I was a little confused and left with some questions.
Whew, this has been on my tbr list for a few years and I am glad that I took some time to get this one done. I completed this book almost exclusively via audiobook, and I maybe read only about 10% on my kindle, so this may effect my rating.
The good: I liked the plot of this book, it was truly a unique one. I think the concept was so well thought out that it made a truly genuine book. This is something I could easily see becoming a movie, which I think something like it is in the works. The author did a good job being authentic to the ways in which the characters were discussed. I enjoyed the context and the time taken to making the main character true. Sometimes the main character was a little annoying, and I actually like that about characters.
The (not so) good: I think some parts of the plot were under developed. I wish that some of the secondary characters were better detailed and flushed out because it was such a good read. I also think this is something that maybe could have been broken down into two books. The end wrapped up so fast I was a little confused and left with some questions.
Amazing plot and story idea that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. However, I did feel like the writing style and word choice were quite mediocre and not rich and compelling like they could have been to match the story. Despite this, the suspense was incredible and even mere pages from the end, I had no idea which way the story would go.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Although not ostensibly classified as a crime book, I was very keen to include this title as I believe that there are enough elements to fulfil the best of both genres; crime thriller and contemporary American fiction. Drawing on the theme of the continuing calls in present day America for some kind of reparation for the heinous period of American slavery, and the resonance of the falsely promised ‘forty acres and a mule’ for the emancipated slaves, Smith has constructed one of the most thought-provoking novels, with all the essential elements of a thriller, that it has been my pleasure to read for some time.
Martin Grey, a small time African American lawyer, wins a distinctly high profile court case up against a powerful and media savvy prosecution lawyer, Damon Darrell, finds himself quickly, yet mysteriously enfolded into Darrell’s immediate circle. This circle contains a small cabal of some of the most influential and successful black figures in society, and Martin, basking in the honour of being made an intimate of such a group, quickly forms an allegiance with them, despite certain misgivings when called upon to perform a strange act of initiation. Grey is then invited on a weekend of outdoor pursuits; a previous weekend of which resulted in the less than fully explained death of a former member of the group. As Martin witnesses the strange and disturbing events at the weekend retreat of ‘Forty Acres’, we, along with him, begin to bear witness to the twisted and insidiously violent events within its walls, all in the name of seeking vengeance for the sins of America’s past. Through the attempted manipulation of Martin by the cabal, and his refusal to simply see the issues raised in black and white (his name is Grey after all), he finds his highly developed moral barometer is increasingly threatened both mentally and physically…
This is not an easy read, being at times brutal and uncompromising in some of its more violent scenes. There is also an incredibly surprising and shocking reveal, as to the activities that take place within the grounds of the mysterious ‘Forty Acres’, that really pushes the morality issue to the fore. It is also a book that throws up a series of extremely troubling moral and ethical dilemmas, but at the same time steadfastly reminding the reader of the immoral period of slavery and the repercussions of this for generations of black Americans. I think this is most certainly a book that will leave readers with differing opinions and perceptions, and reading this as a white British person (with our own shady involvement in the slavery period) I would be interested to see how say, a white American or African American would perceive the issues raised. There were certainly periods of the book that challenged my own moral sense, and by taking some arguments to the most extreme degree, I found my views were increasingly in line with Martin’s as the book progressed. I think that the book was powerfully effective in highlighting the dangers of extreme beliefs whether they be affiliated with race, gender or religion, but equally how persecution of a particular group of exploited people is so easily ignored and not punished and can resonate through generations.
Smith keeps a tight rein on the build up of tension throughout, slowly accelerating the pace until the breathless denouement with Martin, and those closest to him, in imminent peril, so this more than qualifies the book as a compelling thriller. More importantly though, although not a comfortable read, the book consistently raises interesting and thorny issues in both its narrative and themes. I always enjoy books that challenge the complacency of any reader, and Forty Acres certainly achieves this. If, like me, you want a book that gets you talking, and results in differences of opinion, than this is certainly the book for you. I guarantee it will make you think, and stay in your head some time after you’ve read it. That’s the sign of a good book. Forty Acres more than fits the bill.
Martin Grey, a small time African American lawyer, wins a distinctly high profile court case up against a powerful and media savvy prosecution lawyer, Damon Darrell, finds himself quickly, yet mysteriously enfolded into Darrell’s immediate circle. This circle contains a small cabal of some of the most influential and successful black figures in society, and Martin, basking in the honour of being made an intimate of such a group, quickly forms an allegiance with them, despite certain misgivings when called upon to perform a strange act of initiation. Grey is then invited on a weekend of outdoor pursuits; a previous weekend of which resulted in the less than fully explained death of a former member of the group. As Martin witnesses the strange and disturbing events at the weekend retreat of ‘Forty Acres’, we, along with him, begin to bear witness to the twisted and insidiously violent events within its walls, all in the name of seeking vengeance for the sins of America’s past. Through the attempted manipulation of Martin by the cabal, and his refusal to simply see the issues raised in black and white (his name is Grey after all), he finds his highly developed moral barometer is increasingly threatened both mentally and physically…
This is not an easy read, being at times brutal and uncompromising in some of its more violent scenes. There is also an incredibly surprising and shocking reveal, as to the activities that take place within the grounds of the mysterious ‘Forty Acres’, that really pushes the morality issue to the fore. It is also a book that throws up a series of extremely troubling moral and ethical dilemmas, but at the same time steadfastly reminding the reader of the immoral period of slavery and the repercussions of this for generations of black Americans. I think this is most certainly a book that will leave readers with differing opinions and perceptions, and reading this as a white British person (with our own shady involvement in the slavery period) I would be interested to see how say, a white American or African American would perceive the issues raised. There were certainly periods of the book that challenged my own moral sense, and by taking some arguments to the most extreme degree, I found my views were increasingly in line with Martin’s as the book progressed. I think that the book was powerfully effective in highlighting the dangers of extreme beliefs whether they be affiliated with race, gender or religion, but equally how persecution of a particular group of exploited people is so easily ignored and not punished and can resonate through generations.
Smith keeps a tight rein on the build up of tension throughout, slowly accelerating the pace until the breathless denouement with Martin, and those closest to him, in imminent peril, so this more than qualifies the book as a compelling thriller. More importantly though, although not a comfortable read, the book consistently raises interesting and thorny issues in both its narrative and themes. I always enjoy books that challenge the complacency of any reader, and Forty Acres certainly achieves this. If, like me, you want a book that gets you talking, and results in differences of opinion, than this is certainly the book for you. I guarantee it will make you think, and stay in your head some time after you’ve read it. That’s the sign of a good book. Forty Acres more than fits the bill.
So much casual misogyny. The worst case of “men writing women” I’ve seen in a long time. This is why I tend to avoid books written by men.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
I'm really not quite sure how I feel about this novel. When I initially started, I didn't think I would finish as the short chapters and basic writing style annoyed me. However, I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know what happened. I can say that the climax was really good as I was kind of on the edge of my seat with my butt clinched, yet the denouement struggled a bit. It felt rushed. Kind of like watching a movie for 2 hours and finally getting some action for it to last and be over in 10 minutes. The ending was ambiguous so if that bothers you then don't even try it. I think that it was kind of predictable and the entire "secret" premise was uncomfortable and weird but I think that I have read much worse novels. The ride was intense for a moment but short lived. Although it was a little lengthy, it was a quick read. If you have time and aren't bothered by open endings, I guess you should check it out.
This book was really good. It certainly gripped me and I sped through it. I had to know what was going to happen. The only issues I had were small editing issues. There were spelling and small errors that I think a good editing would have corrected, but since this is not through a big publisher, I don't count that against the book. This author is up and coming!
This thriller has one of the most interesting premises that I've really heard of. Martin Gray is a young civil rights lawyer, who beats the high-profile and hugely famous Damon Darrell in a case and is invited by the latter into his inner circle of powerful black men. Taken away on a weekend with them without wives or communication, Martin discovers that they share the desire to reinstate slavery-with white people performing the tasks their ancestors had to as a kind of retribution.
This is a really fascinating premise, and the sections of the book that deal with black American history and the real anger present in the characters were great. However, a lot of the characters weren't particularly nuanced and the writing wasn't...great, the flaws of having read thrillers by people like Gillian Flynn, means that perhaps my expectations in that respect are a bit high. However, Smith is a screenwriter by trade and I could definitely see Forty Acres making a very successful transfer to the screen.
This is a really fascinating premise, and the sections of the book that deal with black American history and the real anger present in the characters were great. However, a lot of the characters weren't particularly nuanced and the writing wasn't...great, the flaws of having read thrillers by people like Gillian Flynn, means that perhaps my expectations in that respect are a bit high. However, Smith is a screenwriter by trade and I could definitely see Forty Acres making a very successful transfer to the screen.