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A review by serendipitysbooks
Stories From the Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Fofana
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Stories from the Tenants Downstairs is a really strong collection of interconnected short stories. It is set in Banneker Terrace, a low income apartment building in a gentrifying area of Harlem, where the new building owners are looking to evict tenants who are behind in their rent.
What really struck me was the way the author vividly brought each of his characters to life. His use of subtly different formats and styles in his writing, as well as the varying ways he used and blended AAVE and standard English meant that each character had a unique distinctive voice. To me these were real people and I was fully invested in their stories, wanting the best for them as they hustled to find the rent money, get ahead, or bring a little joy into their life.
It’s exploration of themes like race, class, gentrification, education, individual choice, and community is nuanced. It’s a book that highlights issues but doesn’t offer easy answers. Rather it prompts thought and reflection on the part of the reader.
I definitely enjoyed my time with this book and will be on the look out for future work by this author.
What really struck me was the way the author vividly brought each of his characters to life. His use of subtly different formats and styles in his writing, as well as the varying ways he used and blended AAVE and standard English meant that each character had a unique distinctive voice. To me these were real people and I was fully invested in their stories, wanting the best for them as they hustled to find the rent money, get ahead, or bring a little joy into their life.
It’s exploration of themes like race, class, gentrification, education, individual choice, and community is nuanced. It’s a book that highlights issues but doesn’t offer easy answers. Rather it prompts thought and reflection on the part of the reader.
I definitely enjoyed my time with this book and will be on the look out for future work by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Child death
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism