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A review by fleeceknots
Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed
challenging
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I came to this book looking for more heady, weird (maybe postmodern?) fiction but with more of a black perspective and this book mostly delivers.
The unique voice and writing style combine with the conspiracy theory-as-plot narrative to create a really one of a kind reading experience.
Reed’s choice to focus on the 1920’s while writing during a very paranoid 1970’s really let’s him explore a wide analysis of Black peoples in the U.S. He touches on our cultural products in relation to white people, the pros and cons of various social movement approaches, how historical narratives shape current outcomes and all sorts of interesting ideas through this fast moving story with a surprising range of characters.
I have a lot of really positive things to say about my reading experience and the only major complaint I have is that about 70% of the way through he indulges in an alternate history take on Egyptian mythology that completely halts all narrative momentum. The stuff in this section has a lot of interesting implications both for the narrative and the commentary inherent in it but it takes up 30 pages of a 250 page book and it quickly starts overstaying it’s welcome like 10 pages in. Things pick back up at the close of the book but I couldn’t overlook this but given how much space it takes up.
Still, everything before and after gives you so much to dig into and wrap your head around that it’s impossible not to recommend if you’re looking for a remarkably unique take on Black history and culture.
The unique voice and writing style combine with the conspiracy theory-as-plot narrative to create a really one of a kind reading experience.
Reed’s choice to focus on the 1920’s while writing during a very paranoid 1970’s really let’s him explore a wide analysis of Black peoples in the U.S. He touches on our cultural products in relation to white people, the pros and cons of various social movement approaches, how historical narratives shape current outcomes and all sorts of interesting ideas through this fast moving story with a surprising range of characters.
I have a lot of really positive things to say about my reading experience and the only major complaint I have is that about 70% of the way through he indulges in an alternate history take on Egyptian mythology that completely halts all narrative momentum. The stuff in this section has a lot of interesting implications both for the narrative and the commentary inherent in it but it takes up 30 pages of a 250 page book and it quickly starts overstaying it’s welcome like 10 pages in. Things pick back up at the close of the book but I couldn’t overlook this but given how much space it takes up.
Still, everything before and after gives you so much to dig into and wrap your head around that it’s impossible not to recommend if you’re looking for a remarkably unique take on Black history and culture.