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A review by dchaseb
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'm usually not one for short story collections because if one is good, it feels it ends too soon. If there is one I don't like, it feels like it will never end. Additionally, they often feel random and full of abrupt endings. This felt more like the creation of a sort of FBU (Friday Black Universe).
Having several stories share the same or similar location gave me the feeling that I was entering an alternate dimension of a world I had just visited (akin to different story arcs of comics perhaps). In terms of the writing, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah has an ability to pull you in and never let go. Each new story had a sensation of being kidnapped where you hope you are never rescued. There were only a few stories that were not my favorites but the majority of them had me longing for full blown book series that take place.
"Finklestein 5" is the first story and if no one reads this entire book, everyone should at least read that one. It makes you sad, angry, ashamed, hopeful, and so much more. A relevant and riveting story focusing on race relations and the justice system. "Zimmer Land" hits on these topics as well. "Light Spitter" looks at school shootings and bullying/harassment. "Through the Flash" is a crazy Groundhog's Day type story where every day ends with an atomic bomb being dropped in a dystopian future.
A few stories gave me the vibe that I dislike with some short story collections where they feel like they are trying super hard to be incredibly allegorical or metaphorical to a point where I don't care as much. Even with that, the stories are definitely unforgettable and resonate. (I kept so little from my short descriptions because I think everyone should go in blindly like I did.
Great way to start my year of books.
Having several stories share the same or similar location gave me the feeling that I was entering an alternate dimension of a world I had just visited (akin to different story arcs of comics perhaps). In terms of the writing, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah has an ability to pull you in and never let go. Each new story had a sensation of being kidnapped where you hope you are never rescued. There were only a few stories that were not my favorites but the majority of them had me longing for full blown book series that take place.
"Finklestein 5" is the first story and if no one reads this entire book, everyone should at least read that one. It makes you sad, angry, ashamed, hopeful, and so much more. A relevant and riveting story focusing on race relations and the justice system. "Zimmer Land" hits on these topics as well. "Light Spitter" looks at school shootings and bullying/harassment. "Through the Flash" is a crazy Groundhog's Day type story where every day ends with an atomic bomb being dropped in a dystopian future.
A few stories gave me the vibe that I dislike with some short story collections where they feel like they are trying super hard to be incredibly allegorical or metaphorical to a point where I don't care as much. Even with that, the stories are definitely unforgettable and resonate. (I kept so little from my short descriptions because I think everyone should go in blindly like I did.
Great way to start my year of books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Violence, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Bullying and Addiction