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wai's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I just happened to pick up this novel at a Goodwill without knowing anything about it. It was...interesting, to say the least. It kind of feels like two novels woven together - one about the complexity of an interracial gay relationship in the 60s, and then a private eye detective novel. I'm not sure the two really mesh that well.
I didn't realize until after I had started that the author was a white man writing from the POV of a black man. As a white person myself, it doesn't read terribly stereotypical, but knowing that I did feel a discomfort from those sections that are very explicitly about racism and the Black experience. I would be really interested in hearing about what the response to this novel was from the Black queer community when it was published.
The characters are imperfect which does make them feel real but also makes it harder to root for them. The main character is a domestic abuser, & his main lover a thief and a liar. It's a snapshot of gay life in a time period where we don't get as much explicit talk about queer life and stories, but the same things that make that period of time less than ideal for those of us in the 21st century is definitely apparent here as well.
I found it intriguing but I don't think I would recommend it to others.
I didn't realize until after I had started that the author was a white man writing from the POV of a black man. As a white person myself, it doesn't read terribly stereotypical, but knowing that I did feel a discomfort from those sections that are very explicitly about racism and the Black experience. I would be really interested in hearing about what the response to this novel was from the Black queer community when it was published.
The characters are imperfect which does make them feel real but also makes it harder to root for them. The main character is a domestic abuser, & his main lover a thief and a liar. It's a snapshot of gay life in a time period where we don't get as much explicit talk about queer life and stories, but the same things that make that period of time less than ideal for those of us in the 21st century is definitely apparent here as well.
I found it intriguing but I don't think I would recommend it to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, Violence, Murder, Homophobia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Outing, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia
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