Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

74 reviews

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!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Police brutality, Body horror, Death, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Classism

bi_n_large's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Police brutality, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Racism, and Racial slurs

d0505's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality and Gun violence

Moderate: Racism and Death of parent

finchthearcher's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Death of parent, Gore, Racism, Gun violence, and Violence

bibliofritz's review against another edition

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Police brutality, and Racism

jaimc's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Racism

laurareads87's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Well written, atmospheric, disturbing, and gripping.  The Ballad of Black Tom features strong character development in not a lot of pages and articulates social commentary without the story feeling weighted down by it.  This was my first Victor LaValle and I definitely look forward to reading more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Classism, and Police brutality

Moderate: Body horror and Blood

dosxhime's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Amazing, amazing. The writing and the plot was so perfect and atmospheric for this month of October. I will definitely reading more books by this author.  I literally goobled the Ballad of Black Tom and I didn't regret a single minute. Highly recommended for a quick, thrilling read! 

4.5 / 5 A 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, Blood, Gun violence, Violence, and Gore

Minor: Racial slurs

louisallama's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality and Racism

loyddl's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.5

A nice book with mostly short chapters, you’ll be able to get through this one pretty quick. It did take me a minute to get into but I did enjoy it, especially as the book picked up in the second half. My one gripe is that the book changes perspective’s half way through. It would have been so interesting to read from the main character’s point of view (Tommy) instead of a side character in the more tense moments. Or at least see Tommy’s thought process leading up to the climax. If the book was a little longer it could have delved further into Tommy’s character arch while splitting the perspectives. But as it is, the book is still an enjoyable read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, and Police brutality

Moderate: Gore, Racial slurs, and Racism

Minor: Blood